Abstract
Objective. To describe the epidemiology, short-term outcomes, and clinical characteristics of rattlesnake bites (RSB) in children, Methods. This was a 10-year retrospective chart review of all patients who were <13 years old admitted to a medical toxicology referral service in a major metropolitan area of the southwestern United States with a diagnosis of RSB. Results. Sixty-six children (mean age, 6.33 years) presented to or were transferred to our center with a diagnosis of RSB. Sixty-three percent were male, and the majority of bites (71.93%) occurred on the lower extremities. Forty-nine children (85.96%) developed coagulopathies, and 50 children (87.72%) received Antivenin (Crotalidae) Polyvalent (ACP) administration. Of the 50 children receiving ACP, 19 developed an immediate hypersensitivity reaction. Five cases of morbidity resulted, but no deaths were recorded. Conclusions. Serious morbidity is infrequent in children following RSB. © 2001 Wilderness Medical Society.