Retrospective prevalence of snakebites from Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL)(1999-2003)

Jamaiah, I. and Rohela, M. and Ng, T.K. and Ch'ng, K.B. and Teh, Y.S. and Nurulhuda, A.L. and Suhaili, N. (2006) Retrospective prevalence of snakebites from Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL)(1999-2003). The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 37 (1). p. 200. ISSN 0125-1562, DOI 16771235.

Preview

PDF Retrospective_prevalence_of_snakebites_from_Hospital_Kuala_Lumpur_(HKL)(1999-2003).pdf - Published Version Download (41kB)

Abstract

A hospital based retrospective study of the prevalence of snakebite cases at Hospital Kuala Lumpur was carried out over a five-year period from 1999 to 2003. A total of 126 snakebite cases were recorded. The highest admission for snakebites was recorded in 2001 (29 cases). The majority of cases were admitted for three days or less (79). Most of the snakebite cases were reported in the 11-30 years age group (52). The male:female ratio was 3:1. The majority of cases were Malaysians (80, 101 cases). Of the non-Malaysians, Indonesians constituted the most (56, 14 cases). Bites occurred most commonly on the lower limbs (49), followed by upper limbs (45) and on other parts of the body (6). No fatal cases were detected and complications were scarce. In 60 (70 cases) the snake could not be identified. Of the four species of snakes that were identified, cobra (both suspected and confirmed) constituted the largest group (25), followed by viper (10), python (4) and sea snake (1). The most common clinical presentations were pain and swelling, 92 (116 cases). All patients were put on snakebite charts and their vital signs were monitored. Of the snakebite cases, 48 (61 cases) were treated with cloxacillin and 25 (32 cases) were given polyvalent snake antivenom.

Item Type:	Article
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	R Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine
Depositing User:	Miss Malisa Diana
Date Deposited:	12 Dec 2012 04:14
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2014 04:40
URI:	http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/4172

Actions (login required)

View Item