EARLY INTRAVENOUS ANTIVENIN AND PREHOSPIT AL AND HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE SNAKE-VENOM POISONING IN 3 PATIENTS ADMITTED TO A PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT

In France, snake bites are responsible for about 3 deaths per year and for morbidity in about 50% of cases, with the pediatric population be ing especially vulnerable. The management of snake bites, which has ge nerated considerable controversy over the last 20 years, currently res ts in Europe on early intravenous administration of the antivenin IPSE R-EUROPE. A simple four-point scale is used to assess the severity of envenomation based on the presence within six hours of the bite of ede ma and/or cardiovascular or gastrointestinal disorders. Patients with high scores should be given antivenin and admitted to an intensive car e unit. The diagnosis and treatment of snake venom poisoning in childr en is reviewed with reference to three severe cases.