Hormone levels in Russell's viper bite follow-up patients

ABSTRACT

Studies of cliniccal features of hypopituitarism and/or any endocrine daficiency and hormone levels were carried out in systemic envenomed Russell's viper bite victims of more than one year duration. Eighteen follow-up patients with history of post viper bite ranging from one to seven years were studied. Serum cortisol were assayed in all but serum ACTH, HGH and urinary cortisol and HGH were made in four patients. Eight were found to have clinical evidence of endocrine deficiency and their hormone levels were on the low side, although statistically not significant. Symptomless patients also have abnormal pituitary function. Chronic ill-health with vague clinical presentation in post viper bite cases should always raise the possibility of chronic pituitary dysfunction.