Study of Hematological Parameters in Patients with Scorpion Envenomation Presented to the Poison Control Center of Ain Shams University Hospitals

Abstract

Scorpion envenomation constitutes a genuine problem of public health all over the world, especially in North-Saharan Africa. Victims such as children and the elderly who suffer from respiratory and/or cardiovascular diseases become at high risk after scorpion envenomation if not managed adequately and quickly. The main life-threatening conditions are cardiopulmonary consequences and are attributed to the mortality in about 1% of all scorpion stings. Several studies have been conducted recently with the help of hematological parameters, especially, the total and differential leukocytic count together with (PI) as potential new biomarkers to predict the severity of scorpion envenomation. The aim of this study was to investigate possible alterations in some hematological parameters and their correlations to the severity of scorpion envenomation. In addition to assessment of the relation between these hematological alterations and antivenin therapy. This study included 36 patients of both sexes presented to the Poison Control Center of Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCC-ASUH) within 24 hours with history of scorpion envenomation, from May 2018 to May 2019.