Scorpion stings in children in the Asir Province of Saudi Arabia

Scorpion stings are an important cause of morbidity in children in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. There appear to be regional variations in the clinical effects of scorpion stings, due to the different species of scorpions found in the various regions of the Arabian Peninsula. A prospective study on 47 children following scorpion stings in the Asir province of Saudi Arabia revealed that neurological manifestations were the most prominent. These included local pain, fright, restlessness and vomiting. One patient had disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and intracranial hemorrhages demonstrated on cranial computed tomography. There was one death due to severe pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure. The complications in these two patients followed stings by Nebo hierochonticus scorpions. The commonest identified scorpion was Leiurus quinquestriatus. The others were Compsobuthus werneri, Androctonus crassicauda and Scorpio maurus. Antivenom was given in all cases with systemic manifestations of envenomation.