Snake bite by Cerastes vipera in children: report of two cases.

Two children, ages 2 and 4 years, envenomed by the snake Cerastes vipera are presented. Both children suffered from local pain and swelling of the hand that spread up to the shoulder in the 2-year-old and up to the elbow in the 4-year-old. A hemorrhagic blister was noted on the bitten finger in the younger patient. Urinary retention, tachycardia, and a slight prolongation of prothrombin time was noted in the 2-year-old, whereas hypertension and fever were observed in the 4-year-old. In both cases, the swelling receded gradually and the patients were discharged from the hospital after several days without any complications and in a good condition.