The evaluation of scorpion sting cases admitted to the pediatric emergency department of the dicle university between the years 2009-2013

Objective: Scorpion sting envenomation is a public health problem that may occur disability and death in childhood. In this study, reprospective evaluation of 119 cases of scorpion stings in the range of 1-18 ages admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department of the Dicle University between the 2009-2013, years with identifying cases who have severe poisoning signs and determining the prognostic factors is aimed. Materials and Methods: In this study patient records of the 119 cases of scorpion stings admitted to Pediatric Emergency Department of the Dicle University between the 2009-2013 years were analyzed retrospectively. Patients demographic data's; complaints, physical examination and laboratory findings, treatments, complications and prognosis were evaluated. Results: Patient age ranged from 1 to 18 years (on avarege 9.4±4.5/years), 57 of them were male, 62 of them were female. 59.7% of the cases applied from countryside of cities, 40.3% from city centers. 63% of them were stung from lower extremities, 24% of them from upper extremities, 13% of them from other parts of the body. When the patients are considered the time they are stung, it is found that 55% of them stung at the night and 45% of them are stung at the daytime. At the time of the application, while there are local findings in 68% of them, there was not in 32% of them. When we evaluated patients by the hospitalization place; 37% of them outpatients in the emergency department, 46% of them in clinic, 17% of them in intensive care followed up. When the applications in primary and secondary healthcare care organizations are considered; 21% of the patients were vaccined with tetanus, 69% of them applied scorpion antivenom, 73% of them applied dexametazon and 72% of them applied antihistaminic. In our hospital antibiotic treatment started on 62% of the patients, antihistaminic was applied to 37% of the patients, scorpion antivenom to the 38% of them, dexametazon to 38% of the patients and 80% of the patients were vaccinated with tetanus. 7.6% of the patients which taken to intensive care was supported dopamin and 10% of them was supported prozasin treatment. 7 of our patient were ex and 112 of them were healded and discharged from hospital. Glucose, ALT, AST, CK-MB, troponin LDH values were more than the discharged ones. It found statistically significant. Considering the average age of the ex patients, it is seen that the average age ratio was lower. It found statistically significant. Conclusion: Scorpion stings have serious mortality and morbidity risks and are treated with the appropriate treatment strategies. But especially in younger patients due to the high risk of mortality, early admission and effectiveness treatment approach may be life-saving. Keywords: Scorpion sting, child, antivenom, death, prognostic factors.