Güneybatı Türkiye'de Çocuklarda Akrep Sokması: Bir Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Deneyimi

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and laboratory features and prognosis of scorpion stings in children. Methods: This retrospective study was in children with scorpion stings who were admitted to the pediatric emergency department in Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University (ALKU) Training and Research Hospital between 1st of January 2019-31 st of December 2020. Demographic data, admission date, time intervals from sting to admission to hospital, geographical location in which the sting occurred, affected body sites, local and systemic signs and symptoms of envenomation, results of hematological and biochemical laboratory tests, management, length of hospital stay, and outcome were recorded. Results: Totally, medical records of 111 children were reviewed. Patients were divided according to the clinical findings into 3 groups, 70 patients (63.1%) with mild symptoms, 34 patients (30.6%) with moderate symptoms, 7 patients (29%) with severe symptoms. There was one exitus due to scorpion stings in the study period. Fortyone (37%) patients were hospitalised and 7 patients (%63) had hospitalisation in the pediatric intensive care unit. Five patients (4%) received doxasozin and 19 (17%) patients had antivenom therapy. Hospitalization in the intensive care unit was required for seven cases. No patient presented sequelae at the hospital discharge. Conclusions: Scorpion stings in our region mostly end up with mild envenomation. Doxazosin also a prazosin analog, which is more easily available in our country can be considered as a treatment option in serious scorpion envenomations with significant sympathetic symptoms.