BACKGROUND:Information on scorpion stings is available for many parts of Saudi Arabia, but not for Al-Jouf Province. METHODS: We reviewed and analyzed 1449 cases of scorpion stings that presented to the emergency department of the hospitals and medical centers in Al-Jouf Province during a 2-year period (2005)(2006). RESULTS: The majority of patients (92.7%) manifested class I envenomation with local pain at the sting site as the primary complaint. Systemic toxicity was noticed in 7.3% of cases but no deaths were reported. Scorpion stings were recorded throughout the year with the highest seasonal incidence in the summer (64.3%) and the lowest during the winter (10.6%). The highest monthly incidence was in June (21.5%) and the lowest in December (1.5%). Most of the patients were male (77.3%) and the age of 44.2% of victims ranged between 15 to 30 years. Diurnal stings exceeded the nocturnal ones with a ratio of 3:2, and most of the stings were located mainly on the exposed limbs (88.6%), especially the lower limbs (51.7%). Leiurus quinquestriatus and Androctonus crassi-cauda were incriminated in most recorded cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that scorpion stings are common in Al-Jouf Province, especially during the summer. The overall threat to human health was found to be low. Scorpion sting syndrome is a medical problem that represents a real threat in many parts of the world including Saudi Arabia. [1][2][3][4][5] Annually, thousands are stung by scorpions in Saudi Arabia with an average of 14 500 stings per year. 3 While considerable information is available about scorpion sting syndrome in most districts of Saudi Arabia, little is known about scorponism in Al-Jouf province. 4 The present study aims to assess the risk of scorpion stings together with the efficacy of scorpion antivenom therapy, and to clarify the epidemiological features of scorpion stings in this province. METHODSThis study was based on 1449 cases of scorpion stings submitted to the emergency department at the hospitals and medical centers of cities and towns of Al-Jouf province, Saudi Arabia (Skaka, Domat Al-Jandal, Tabarjal and Qorayat) (latitude, 29°47 N, longitude 40°06 W) over a period of 2 years ( January 2005-December 2006). The victims belonged to ten nationalities (Saudi and non-Saudi). The data were extracted from the victim records and analyzed by age, sex, time of sting and submission (month and time of day), sting location on body, scorpion species, presenting complaint, systemic symptoms, received treatment, period of observation and outcome of each sting. The clinical severity of each case was assessed according to Abroug's classification,6 where the envenomation cases were sorted into class I: local symptoms at the site of sting; class II (symptomatic): thrill, sedation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and hypertension; class III (systemic): cardiovascular, respiratory, and/or neurological disorders. RESULTSThe total number of scorpion stings reviewed in Al-Jouf province over the period (2005)(2006) was 1449 ( Table 1). T...