Received: June 28, 2007.

Accepted: July 7, 2007.

Abstract published online: August 8, 2007.

Full paper published online: March 8, 2008.

SERUM ELECTROLYTE CHANGES IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS STUNG BY SCORPIONS

OSNAYA-ROMERO N. (1, 2), HERNÁNDEZ T. J. M. (1), BASURTO G. (1),

ANDRADE S. (1), FIGUEROA J. M. (1), CARVAJAL Y. (1), FLORES-HERNANDEZ S. S. (3)

(1) Hospital del Niño Morelense, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; (2) Unity for Clinical Research Support, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico; (3) National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Mexico.

ABSTRACT: Scorpion sting is a health problem in some places of Mexico. The clinical manifestations of scorpion envenomation are variable and include metabolic alterations. Hyperkalemia is the most frequently reported metabolic alteration. We conducted a prospective, observational, descriptive and transversal study in an emergency room at Hospital del Niño Morelense, Mexico. Eighty-two patients were included and classified as mild (17%) moderate (33%) and severe (46%). The mean serum level of sodium was 146.4meq/l, standard deviation (SD) 5.58; potassium 3.86meq/l, SD 0.53, and calcium 9.55mg/dl, SD 0.76. We found 30.4% hypernatremia, 12% hypokalemia, 10.9% abdominal distension, and 14.6% visual alterations.

KEY WORDS: serum electrolytes, scorpion stung children.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

NEYDI OSNAYA ROMERO, Gustavo Gomez Azcarate, 205, Col. Lomas de la Selva Cuernavaca Morelos, México, Cp. 62270. Phone: 017 77 101 0250. Email: nenyos@prodigy.net.mx.