Clinical Profiles of Snake Bite Cases : A 5-year retrospective review of snakebite cases at Hospital USM

Snakebite is on the World Health Organization official list of Neglected Tropical Diseases. Moreover, most published data of snake bites in Malaysia were confined to the northern states of West Malaysia. The aim of the study is to obtain and analyze the demographic and clinical profiles of snakebite patients attending Emergency Department, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan. Kelantan is located at northeast of Peninsular of Malaysia. This is a 5-year retrospective study (Jan 2006 to Dec 2010). We reviewed 260 snakebite cases. Data on snakebites by time periods, demographic and others circumstances were recorded. We analysed the demographic characteristics and clinical profiles of snakebite patients. The outcome of snakebite patients such as severity of envenomation, wound complications, length of ward stay and death. The study findings would be useful for planning and formulating strategies and specific interventions to combat snake bite related health problems in Kelantan.