Abstract

In the present cross sectional study we have studied coagulation profile and clinical manifestations in cases of snake bite and correlated the severity of clinical findings with the coagulation profile. A total of 158 cases of snake bite were included for analysis of coagulation profile in this analytical study by excluding the neurotoxic cases. Of these, 67 (40.6%) cases were non-venomous, whereas 98 (59.4%) cases were venomous snake bite cases. Out of the 98 venomous snake bite cases, 91 (55.4%) cases were vasculotoxic snake bite and 07 (4.2%) cases were neurotoxic snake bite. We observed a positive result of 20 minute whole blood clotting test (WBCT) in 53 (58.2%) vasculotoxic snake bite cases. The sensitivity of 20 minute WBCT was 66.2% and specificity was 97.5%. Local pain was the most common local symptom observed in 133 (84.2%) cases followed by swelling at the site of bite which comprised of 127 (80.4%) cases. All the investigative steps were carried out and classified according to ICD-10 standards.

Key words: Non-venomous snake bites, Vasculotoxic, Venomous snake bites, Coagulation profile, Bleeding time, Clotting time