B. Purushottam Rao1, P. Siva Teja2, V. V. Satyanarayana3
INTRODUCTION: Snake bite envenomation is a frequently encountered problem in tropical countries like India, especially in the rural areas of south India. Most of the victims are farmers. The World Health Organization has estimated that nearly 1,25,000 deaths occur among 2,50,000 poisonous snake bites world-wide, of which India accounts for 10,000 deaths. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is an important consequence of a snake bite and its proper supportive management after the anti-venom administration is of utmost importance, for a good patient outcome.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence of Acute Kidney Injury in patients with hemotoxic snake envenomation. To assess the etiological factors involved in Acute Kidney Injury on snake bite victims.
METHODOLOGY: This prospective study was carried out at King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It is a tertiary care government hospital, attached to Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam.
STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective and descriptive type of study
RESULTS: A total of 214 cases of hemotoxic snake bite were included in this study, who were admitted in the hospital from September 2012 to August 2014. The incidence of renal failure in hemotoxic snake bite is 23.3%. The probable etiology of AKI in snake bite victims is DIC in 48% of cases, direct nephrotoxicity in 24% of cases
CONCLUSION: This study concludes that Acute Kidney Injury occurs in 23.3% of cases of hemotoxic snake bite. DIC is the most common etiologic factor for AKI in snake bite followed by direct nephrotoxicity, hypotension, capillary leak syndrome and sepsis.
