Ariaratnam et al classified snake bites in Sri Lanka into 7 clinical syndromes that are associated with specific species of snakes. These can help guide management when the snake is not positively identified or available for examination. The authors are from the University of Colombo, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the University of Oxford.
Parameters:
(1) local envenomation
(2) bleeding disorder (incoagulable blood)
(3) renal failure
(4) neurotoxicity
(5) locale where bitten
Local Reaction |
Bleeding |
Renal Failure |
Neuro- toxicity |
Where Bitten |
Syndrome |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
NA |
1 |
yes |
yes |
yes |
no |
NA |
2 |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
NA |
3 |
severe |
no |
no |
yes |
NA |
4 |
no or minimal |
no |
no |
yes |
sleeping on ground |
5 |
no |
no |
no |
yes |
at sea |
6 |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
NA |
7 |
Syndrome |
Snake (Genus) |
1 |
Russell's viper (Daboia) |
2 |
Hump-nosed viper (Hypnale) |
3 |
Saw-scaled viper (Echis) |
4 |
Indian cobra (Naja) |
5 |
Indian krait (Bungarus) |
6 |
sea snake (Hydrophis) |
7 |
green pit viper (Trimeresurus) |
where:
• There is no antivenom currently available for Hypnale bites.
Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,