Victimologic study of snakebite envenomation.

ABSTRACT

Snakebite is of grave concern in most parts of India. Being a tropical country with an extensive coastline, India is home to a variety of snakes both poisonous and non-poisonous. This is a retrospective research study conducted at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, which is a tertiary care teaching hospital situated in Coastal Karnataka, South India. During a three-year period starting from 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2003, one hundred and twenty six cases of snakebites that were admitted at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal were studied. The commonest age group affected was 21-30 years with a male preponderance (66.7%). The victims were agriculturists in 54 cases. Most of the bites occurred during summer. Bites occurred when the victim was outdoors in 72.2% of the cases. Lower limb was commonly involved. Double fang mark was seen in 47.6% of the cases. Non-poisonous snakebite was seen in 38.1% of the cases. One hundred and twenty patients survived, and 6 persons died, representing a mortality of 4.8%.