Persistent coagulopathy in snake bite.

ABSTRACT

Bleeding diathesis is a cardinal feature of viperine bite, which has been thought to last not more than 24 hours. There is scarcity of literature about prolonged bleeding disorder in snake envenomation. Various explanations suggested in the literature include-temporary decrease in antivenin levels, rapid elimination of antivenin from circulation or continuous release of unneutralised venom from the envenomated site. Two children with prolonged coagulopathy lasting for more than a week, correction of which required more than 300 ml of antisnake venom are reported here.