Fatal scorpion sting in a child

Abstract

Fatal scorpion stings are rare in Nigeria. Hitherto, there has been no report from Nigeria of death following scorpion stings. This report is that of a 2-year-old boy who was stung by a scorpion while playing outside his home environment in Osogbo, South West Nigeria. He subsequently presented to the Children Emergency Unit of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, in pain and with features of shock. He died within 2 h of admission despite all treatment given to relieve pain and manage shock. The case is reported in order to share the important lessons learned.

The use of chloroquine with or without adjuncts in the effective management of scorpion sting in the tropics: case reports

“…In the tropics, scorpion stings barely result in fatal effects except in children 7 and when the rare poisonous ones sting. The stings normally occur on the hands and feet and usually come with severe pain that victims normally describe as the worst pain of their life.…”

“…Scorpion stings in humans are mostly accidental and have been noted to be a form of either self-defence or offence mechanism by the scorpion as they are shy creatures. The pain felt is due to the ability of the somatosensory system of the body to detect noxious and potentially tissue damaging stimuli 4 – 7 .…”