Serum electrolyte changes in pediatric patients stung by scorpions

• Published in: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: N. Osnaya-Romero, T. J. M. Hernández, G. Basurto, S. Andrade, J. M. Figueroa, Y. Carvajal, S. S. Flores-Hernandez
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SciELO 2008
• Subjects: serum electrolytes; scorpion stung children; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Toxicology. Poisons; RA1190-1270; Zoology; QL1-991; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992008000200014; https://doaj.org/article/a28eddbe65c44575aaff0e7bea265035

Scorpion sting is a health problem in some places of Mexico. The clinical manifestations of scorpion envenomation are variable and include metabolic alterations. Hyperkalemia is the most frequently reported metabolic alteration. We conducted a prospective, observational, descriptive and transversal study in an emergency room at Hospital del Niño Morelense, Mexico. Eighty-two patients were included and classified as mild (17%) moderate (33%) and severe (46%). The mean serum level of sodium was 146.4meq/l, standard deviation (SD) 5.58; potassium 3.86meq/l, SD 0.53, and calcium 9.55mg/dl, SD 0.76. We found 30.4% hypernatremia, 12% hypokalemia, 10.9% abdominal distension, and 14.6% visual alterations.