Scorpion envenomation symptoms in pregnant women

• Published in: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: H. Ben Nasr, T. S. Hammami, Z. Sahnoun, T. Rebai, M. Bouaziz, M. Kassis, K. M. Zeghal
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SciELO 2007
• Subjects: pregnant women; scorpion envenomations; signs and symptoms; laboratory data; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Toxicology. Poisons; RA1190-1270; Zoology; QL1-991; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992007000100007; https://doaj.org/article/4a35a1ac51e9440db4b8fb907c3b2092

Scorpion envenomation is common in many countries; however, its effects on pregnancy are still unclear. In the present paper, we described the effects of scorpion envenomation on pregnant patients. A retrospective study was carried out considering the clinical and laboratory exams of patients admitted to the emergency room of Habib Bourguiba Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia, from 1990 to 2004. Variability of these clinical and laboratory profiles according to maternal age, gestational age and number of previous parities was also discussed. Among 167 scorpion-envenomed women, age ranged from 17 to 42 years, 7.18% were pregnant. These presented symptoms similar to those of non-pregnant women envenomed by scorpions. Two pregnant patients developed intense pelvic pain and one manifested vaginal bleeding. Although the studied parameters showed non-significant differences, we could conclude that scorpion envenomation may lead to abnormal uterine contraction probably causing preterm delivery. Maternal disturbances induced by scorpion envenomation may influence the fetus development. The effects were more severe in the second trimester of pregnancy.