Venomous Snake Bite in Children: A Case Report from Nigeria

Abstract

Venomous snakebite is a commonly encountered pediatric emergency especially in regions of slums, villages, and forests. It presents with varying clinical features leading to morbidity and mortality. Children are more prone to complications as a result of their physiological vulnerability. Mortality is also higher in them because the amount of toxin absorbed per kilogram body weight is more amongst the children than in adults. We report a case of a 7-year-old girl in Benin City, Nigeria who was managed for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC), necrotizing fasciitis and compartment syndrome following a snakebite. She required blood transfusion for the DIC, fasciotomy for compartment syndrome and skin grafting for the extensive ulcers which are all features of severe envenomation. We conclude that accurate diagnosis and prompt management of complications can save life.