Publication:

Epidemiological profile of snake bite at tertiary care hospital, East India

Background Snakebite is a common medical emergency and an occupational hazard for majority of Indian population especially farmers. Epidemiological data on snake bite from the East India is sparse.

Methods This hospital based prospective study was conducted from March 2013 to February 2014. 200 cases of snakebite poisoning were admitted to the hospital during the study period.

Results Majority of victims belonged to the age group of 15-45 (60%), resident of rural areas (92%) and were involved in agricultural activities (60%). The study population was predominately bitten outdoors (66%), in the lower extremity (86%), at night (82%). Respiratory muscle paralysis (66.7%), ptosis (66.7%), coagulopathy (60%), acute renal failure (55.6%), shock (55.6%) were the signs associated with poor prognosis.

Conclusions Snakebite is an important occupational hazard, though preventable in principle remains to be one of the common medical emergencies.