Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Scorpion Sting among Children in South Part of Iran

Scorpion sting is regarded as one of the most medically-related problems in south part of Iran. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological aspects, clinical symptom and stinging agents among scorpion sting victims referred to Children Hospital in Hormozgan province. A cross-sectional study was conducted which involved all patients who had been stung by scorpion retaining scorpion sample at the time of admission. This study was conducted from May, 2014 to November, 2015. Data was gathered using the researcher made questionnaire and patient`s fills. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20, using descriptive and analytical statistics such as frequency, percentage, Chi-square and t-test. A total of 191 patients with age ranging from 1 month to 14 years (Mean= 6 ± 2) were studied. The most frequent patients were in the age group 6-10 years old. In this study 103 (53.9) were males and 88 (46.1) females. 169 (88.5%) stung cases were from rural areas and 22 (11.5) were reported from urban areas of the county. Most of the stings occurred indoors in rural areas. Most patients, 148 (80.6%), had been admitted to emergency department within 1-6 hour after scorpion sting. The most prevalence of scorpion stings occurred on foot, 74 (38.7%), and hand, 61 (31.9%). Seventeen species belonging to two families Hemiscorpidae and Buthidae were identified. The main species of scorpion responsible for stinging was Hemiscorpius acanthocercus 41 (21.5%) followed by Compsobuthus persicus, 37 (19.5), and H. enischnochela, 35 (18.4). The most common clinical symptoms observed in patients were pain (56.5%), erythema (39.8%) and burning sensation (33.5%). The findings of this study, highlights the role of age, gender, residence location and scorpion species in envenomation. Therefore, health providers are recommended to consider these factors and the interference of these elements to prevent and care scorpion envenomation in children under 14 years old.