Clinical characteristics of snakebite patients attending a tertiary hospital in Hangzhou, southeast China

Abstract

Background Venomous snakebite is a neglected yet an important public health problem in China, and few studies have focused on them so far. The aim of this study is to investigate clinical characteristics of snakebites patients in a tertiary hospital in Hangzhou, southeast China. Methods A total of 416 snakebite cases were included in this retrospective study. The data were collected from the medical records including demographics, clinical manifestations, management and outcomes. Results Of the 416 patients with venomous snakebites, 248 were male, and the average age was 54.6 years. The majority of cases occurred in rural in May to September. Out of all the venomous bites, Gloydius brevicaudus accounted for the highest percentage (55.3%). Hands were the most vulnerable site to snakebites (47.4%). Patients had clinical manifestations of pain (100%), swelling (100%), wound necrosis (25.7%), hemorrhagic blister (18.3%), and blister (8.7%). Three hundred and ninety-two patients received antivenom administration, and most were treated within six hours after bites. Twenty-six patients received surgical treatments, and 90 patients developed venom-induced consumption coagulopathy. No deaths have occurred in this study. Conclusion Hangzhou is one of the regions with high affecting of snakebites in China. The results of this study will increase the understanding of the clinical characteristics of venomous snakebites in Hangzhou area.