Publication: A study of Thai cobra (Naja kaouthia) bites in Thailand
Issued Date
2005-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00264075
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-17444385229
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Military Medicine. Vol.170, No.4 (2005), 336-341
Suggested Citation
Nualnong Wongtongkam, Henry Wilde, Chitr Sitthi-Amorn, Kavi Ratanabanangkoon A study of Thai cobra (Naja kaouthia) bites in Thailand. Military Medicine. Vol.170, No.4 (2005), 336-341. doi:10.7205/MILMED.170.4.336 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/17135
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
A study of Thai cobra (Naja kaouthia) bites in Thailand
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
This study evaluated factors affecting the severity of bite site necrosis and systemic symptoms resulting from envenomation among patients bitten by Thai cobras (Naja kaouthia) in Thailand. We studied 45 victims prospectively. An additional 40 medical records were obtained for a retrospective study. Collected data included gender of the victims, anatomic locations of bites, where attacks took place, and predisposing factors and how they might have affected the clinical course. Most patients were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. Neurotoxic symptoms and respiratory failure developed in 31.11% and 12.50% in the prospective and retrospective groups, respectively. Only one patient died, from the effects of prolonged respiratory failure. There was some degree of tissue necrosis at the bite site for almost all victims. One victim required amputation of a digit in the retrospective study, and 33.60% of the prospective group and 20% of the retrospective group required minor surgical debridement. Snakebites in Thailand are still a public health problem, although rapid urbanization has decreased the number of victims because of degradation of the snake's habitat. Copyright © by Association of Military Surgeons of U.S., 2005.