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Research Paper | Medical Science | India | Volume 12 Issue 1, January 2023
Haematological Changes after Snake Bite: A Clinico - Haematological Study in a Tertiary Care Centre
Dr Tejas Kotecha | Dr Akashkumar Dongarwar | Dr Khemchandra Borole
Abstract: ackground: Snake bite results in local as well as systemic manifestations. Major systemic complications include acute renal failure, neurological symptoms requiring ventilator support and coagulation disorders. The coagulation disorders lead to various serious systemic complications like haemorrhage, infarction and even death if the diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Objectives: To describe the clinical profile of the snake bitten patients who developed coagulopathy and the role of coagulation markers to evaluate the morbidity and mortality of the victims. Method: A cross sectional hospital based study was carried out on patients of age group 12 years or less having neighborhood or systemic signs of envenomation and no records of bleeding or coagulation issues. This coagulation profile was then evaluated by using peripheral blood sampling and urine evaluation. Results: In the present study haemorrhagic manifestations that were noticed includes bleeding from injection site (46.7%), haematemesis (5%), haematuria (33.3%), bleeding gums (11.7%), epistaxis (1.7%), and haemoptysis (3.3%). 53.3% cases were found to be anaemic after estimating haemoglobin levels. The 20 minute whole blood clotting time (WBCT20) was positive in 86.4% of vasculo - toxic snakebites and negative in all neuro - paralytic bites. Leucocytosis was observed in 60% cases with relative neutrophilia in 63.3%, thrombocytopenia was observed in 8.3%, bleeding time was prolonged in 13.3% and clotting time was prolonged in 56.7%. Conclusions: An important test that differentiates between Viperine and Elapine snake bites is WBCT 20 as it was positive in 46.7% of Viperine bites and was negative in all Elapine bites.
Keywords: snake bite, WBC count, bleeding time, clotting time, PT, APTT
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 1, January 2023,
Pages: 1195 - 1198