Antivenom therapy for snakebites in children: is there evidence?

Abstract

Based on limited data, CroFab has been shown to be a safe and efficacious antivenom for use in children as well as adults. Further studies are needed to refine our understanding of its efficacy, safety, indications, and dosing.

Pediatric snakebites: lessons learned from 114 cases

“…Identifying the population of patients in whom FabAV treatment is unnecessary will allow clinicians to avoid its associated risks and substantial cost [17].…”

Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab for the Treatment of Pediatric Crotaline Envenomation

“…20 However, in such patients with moderate to severe envenomations, the physicians must determine if the benefits of FabAV treatment outweigh the risks of inducing a hypersensitivity reaction (Table 3).…”

“…19 The search for a safer alternative lead to the development of a sheep-derived Fab antibody fragment antivenom known as Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine) (CroFab; Protherics Inc, Nashville, Tenn). 20 This newer antivenom has a lower incidence of adverse effects and is effective for treatment of North American crotaline envenomation. It was approved by the US FDA in October 2000 and has replaced the older Wyeth antivenom, which is no longer manufactured (Table 1).…”

Microplate fluorescence protease assays test the inhibition of select North American snake venoms' activities with an anti-proteinase library

“…Estimates indicate thousands of people in the U.S. receive hospital treatment (Offerman et al, 2002;Schmidt, 2005;Trinh and Hack, 2005), with an estimated four thousand deaths per year, and many more worldwide (Gutierrez et al, 2010).…”