Epidemiological Study of Scorpion Envenomation in the Hospital Beni Mellal Province

• Published in: Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) Pa.), 2008-06, Vol.46 (5), p.392-392
• Main Authors: Charrab, N, Soulaymani, A, Mokhtari, A, Benali, D, Soulaymani, B R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1556-3650

In Morocco, Beni Mellal province is one of the regions most affected by scorpion envenomation. Objective: The aim of this research is to reduce cases of morbidity and mortality subsequent to scorpion envenomation through the analysis and interpretation of data recorded in hospital admission forms. Methods: Our study covered 63 retrospective cases of scorpion poisoning during the year 2005, which were reported by the hospital's intensive care service in Beni Mellal province. Results: Results indicate that scorpion envenomation occurs mainly during summer, in particular during June and July. Moreover, stings happen at night between 6PM and 6AM (60.3%). Youngsters with age less than or equal to 15 years are those most exposed to envenomation, with a male age of 10.2 plus or minus 1.72 years. In addition, 72.6% of the envenomed patients arrived at the hospital with general symptoms and 27.4% exhibited signs of severe distress. The therapy given was variable, and the rate of lethality at the hospital was 28.57%. There were three admission classes: 1. local signs only, 2. envenomed patients with general signs, 3. patients with respiratory, neurological and cardiovascular effects. Variance analysis of various factors studied in relation to survival prediction (recovery and mortality) showed a highly significant difference for each admission class (F=96.94 and p