Snake bite: clinical presentation, complication and outcome in relation to time of polyvalent snake antivenin in Yemen.

The snakebite envenoming is an important medical emergency. The envenoming is a complex medical emergency involving the site of the bite as well as multiple organ system. The symptoms and signs depend on the type and amount of venom injected, location of bite, victims' age, body size and general health conditions. This study clarified the clinical presentations; factors involved in complications and the outcome in relation to timing of polyvalent snake antivenin administration in 50 Patients were selected from cases admitted to Al-Salam Hospital at Saadah, Republic of Yemen. The manifestations of envenoming and complications were recorded. Treated patients were analyzed to determine the factors involved in complications and the outcomes in relation to the timing of polyvalent snake antivenin administration The bitten patients had envenoming (80%), bitten at night (68%), while walking barefooted (84%), complaining from pain (76%) and limb swelling (56%). The systemic manifestations were common only in severe cases and patients attend to the hospital after six hours from snake bite. All patients had envenoming developed coagulation abnormalities. Two cases (4%) died from cerebral hemorrhage and multi organ failure.