Scorpion envenomation symptoms in pregnant women

Abstract

Scorpion envenomation is common in many countries; however, its effects on pregnancy are still unclear. In the present paper, we described the effects of scorpion envenomation on pregnant patients. A retrospective study was carried out considering the clinical and laboratory exams of patients admitted to the emergency room of Habib Bourguiba Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia, from 1990 to 2004. Variability of these clinical and laboratory profiles according to maternal age, gestational age and number of previous parities was also discussed. Among 167 scorpion-envenomed women, age ranged from 17 to 42 years, 7.18% were pregnant. These presented symptoms similar to those of non-pregnant women envenomed by scorpions. Two pregnant patients developed intense pelvic pain and one manifested vaginal bleeding. Although the studied parameters showed non-significant differences, we could conclude that scorpion envenomation may lead to abnormal uterine contraction probably causing preterm delivery. Maternal disturbances induced by scorpion envenomation may influence the fetus development. The effects were more severe in the second trimester of pregnancy.KEY WORDS: pregnant women, scorpion envenomations, signs and symptoms, laboratory data.

Scorpion sting: eclampsia

“…Scorpion sting effects on pregnancy are still unclear 5. Scorpion sting during pregnancy may lead to biological disturbances.…”

Stings from Euscorpius flavicaudis (De Geer, 1778) (Scorpiones, Euscorpiidae) during pregnancy: a clinical case report

“…Envenoming during pregnancy from highly poisonous scorpions (species found in North Africa, the Southern United States, Mexico and Central America) may provoke severe consequences and even long-lasting symptoms (rare), when compared to normal subjects in whom the venom-related symptoms are rather rapid and dissipate within the first 24 hours (2,8). The major risks of scorpionism in pregnancy (fetal death, abnormal development, placental abruption) occur in the second and third trimesters and are due to biological interferences caused by the venom which often lead to an increase in glucose levels, increase of blood polymorphonucleated (PMN) leukocytes, alteration of the lipid metabolism and electrolyte balance (10)(11)(12)(13).…”

“…The complex interactions between venom and a pregnant woman's metabolism may cause severe problems for the fetus, even several weeks after the original envenoming, when venom acute effects have worn off (8,14).…”

“…Most of previously reported cases of scorpionism in the literature are related to notoriously venomous species found throughout the Mediterranean (North Africa), tropical and subtropical areas (8), whereas there are no studies or references to cases concerning species native to Italy, about whose toxic secretions not much is known.…”

Scorpion sting in pregnancy

“…Pelvik ağrısı olan 2 gebeden biri 2. trimesterde akrep sokması sonrası vajinal kanama ile gelmiştir. Takipte anne ya da fetüs ölümü görülmemiş, preterm doğum olmamış, USG muayenelerinde fetusta ya da plasentada herhangi bir anormallik saptanmamıştır 4 . Bizim olgumuzda da yerel bulgu dışında herhangi bir belirti gelişmemiş, bu nedenle akrep antiserumu gereksinimi olmadığın-dan antiserum verilmeksizin yakın gözlenmiş, sonuç-ta fizik bakısında, klinik değerlendirilmesinde ve fetusun USG muayenelerinde anormallik saptanmayan hasta taburcu edilmiştir.…”