Maternal mortality in a district hospital in West Bengal

To ascertain the causes of high maternal mortality in West Bengal, the author examined maternal mortality between 1964-68. It was intended that measures to improve the situation in rural areas could be suggested. Women in labor often arrive at the hospital very late and few antenatal care facilities are available in rural areas. High risk cases often are delivered at home, a situation which often results in fetal complications. Maternal deaths have declined, but not dramatically. Of the 24,265 deliveries at the Burdwan district hospital, there were 333 maternal deaths for an incidence of 13.7/1000, along with another 42 cases where death was due to pregnancy-associated causes. In contrast, the maternal mortality rate in a district hospital in Calcutta was 4/1000 in 1968. Eclampsia accounted for 42.34% (141) of maternal deaths making it the major cause of death. In Calcutta this cause of death is receding gradually but in the districts it still accounts for a heavy loss of life (an incidence of 1 in 38). Adequate antenatal care would reduce this high mortality. 2 factors which have contributed to the high mortality are the hours lost in transporting a patient from a rural area and inadequate hospital staff. Postpartum hemorrhage and/or retained placenta was responsible for 39 deaths and none of the cases admitted from outside had received antenatal care. A shortage of blood was also a contributory factor. Severe anemia was responsible for 34 deaths and abortions resulted in another 29 deaths (16 because of severe sepsis; 13 due to hemorrhage or shock). An emergency service would help reduce the number of deaths but at present such a service does not even exist in the urban areas. Ruptured uterus resulted in 29 deaths and obstructed labor in 27 deaths. Placenta previa brought about 14 deaths and the remaining 20 deaths were due to such causes as accidental hemorrhage (10), hydatidiform mole (4), puerperal sepsis (3), ectopic pregnancy (2), and uterine inversion (1). Timely admission would have helped most of these cases. In summation, the preventive measures which would help to lower maternal mortality are: 1) mass education about the need for antenatal care, 2) provision of good obstetrical service, 3) provision of quick transport, 4) adequate staffing of hospitals, 5) refresher courses for medical personnel, and 6) 24 hour blood transfusion service.     

Deaths from snake bite in Australia, 1981-1991.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain and analyse data relating to snake bite fatalities in Australia. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of case reports and collation of studies carried out at the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL). RESULTS: 18 deaths attributed to snake bite were reported to CSL over a 10-year period. Eleven of the victims were males and four of these were bitten after either picking up the snake or playing with it. In most cases, no pathological findings of significance were found at autopsy. Venom was detected in post-mortem samples from nine cases. Brown snakes (genus Pseudonaja) were responsible for 11 deaths; tiger snake (Notechus scutatus) for four, taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) two and death adder (Acanthophis australis) one. Death after a brown snake bite was often sudden and unexpected. In three patients bitten by tiger snakes and in one bitten by a brown snake, the presence of cerebral haemorrhage was confirmed at autopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Not all snake bite deaths in Australia are adequately investigated or reported. Under some circumstances death from snake bite is almost inevitable; two infants who received unwitnessed massive envenomations are tragic examples. Had venom absorption from the bitten area been delayed by correct first aid, some of the patients might have survived. The brown snakes (genus Pseudonaja) must now be considered Australia's most dangerous group of snakes because their venom may cause sudden unexpected collapse and death. The increased incidence of intracranial haemorrhage may in some cases be related to the intravenous use of adrenaline. In at least one case, the prompt administration of a clearly needed antivenom might have altered the outcome.     

Use of antivenom serum in snake bite: a prospective study of hospital practice in the Gampaha district

OBJECTIVE: To record current practices in hospital management of snake bite, especially with regard to use of antivenom serum (AVS). METHODS: Management of all snake bite victims admitted to the four main hospitals of the Gampaha district was prospectively studied during a 5-month period. A pretested data collection sheet was used. Relevant information was obtained from patients, accompanying persons, medical staff and hospital records. RESULTS: 466 patients (M:F = 7:3; 402 adults and 64 children) were admitted following snake bite during the study. The offending snake was identified in 357 (76.6%) cases [172 (36.9%) by examining the dead snake, 185 by identification of the snake in a photograph]. 273 (76.5%) of the 357 admissions were due to hump nosed viper bite. AVS was given to 184 (39.5%) patients, including 99 (36.3%) with hump nosed viper bite. A sensitivity test of AVS was used in all 184 patients. Premedication with hydrocortisone and/or antihistamines before AVS infusion was given to 89 patients. Acute adverse reactions to AVS occurred in 102 (55.4%) patients given AVS. There was no significant difference in the rate of reactions whether premedication was given or not. CONCLUSION: Precise identification of the offending snake was not possible in many instances. Practices that are of no benefit in the treatment of snake bite are still widely used. Acute adverse reactions to AVS are common, and neither hydrocortisone nor antihistamines seem to be of benefit as prophylaxis. Evidence based management guidelines, especially with regard to AVS therapy, are urgently required.     

Ethnobotanical survey of folklore plants used in treatment of snakebite in Paschim Medinipur district,West Bengal

ObjectiveTo investigate and collect information from traditional health healers/tribal communities on the use of medicinal plants for treatment of snakebite.MethodsThe ethno-medicinal study was conducted in 8 villages of the Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal in 2012-2013 through questionnaire and personal interviews. Following the method of Martin, information about medicinal plants used in snake bite, precise plant parts used, methods of treatment and administration was enquired from the tribal communities (Santhals, Mundas, Lodhas, Bhumijs, Oraon Kherias) of the region.ResultsThe present study enumerates 20 ethnomedicinal plant species belonging to 16 families used by the tribal communities and medicinal healers of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal in treatment of snakebite. Each plant species has been listed alphabetically according to its botanical name, family, vernacular name, part(s) used, mode of preparation/administration.ConclusionsThe importance of traditional medicinal system among the tribal communities of Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal has been highlighted in the present study.     

Retrospective review of snake bite victims

Venomous snakebites are a rare but dangerous and potentially deadly condition in the U.S.. Most bites in the U. S. result from envenomation with snakes of the family Viperidae, subfamily Crotalinae, which includes rattlesnakes and copperheads. Treatment includes a comprehensive work-up to look for possible hematologic, neurologic, renal, and cardiovascular abnormalities, local wound care, systemic antivenom administration, tetanus prophylaxis, antibiotics in the presence of infection and surgical treatment if needed, which may include debridement, fasciotomy and rarely amputation. All these patients should be observed for a minimum of 8 hours. Any evidence of envenomation mandates a minimum of 24 hours of in-hospital observation. A grading system to classify the severity of envenomation is described. The most commonly used antivenom in the U.S. is CroFab, which has a much lower incidence of acute or delayed allergic reactions compared to the older antivenoms. When allergic reactions do occur, they are usually of mild to moderate severity. With the improved risk-benefit ratio of CroFab, antivenom is indicated with any grade of envenomation. In this a retrospective study, we will review our experience with 25 snakebite victims admitted to the West Virginia University over a five years period.     

Prolonged intensive therapy after snake bite. A probable case of envenomation by the rough-scaled snake

A case of snake-bite envenomation, probably by the rough-scaled snake (Tropidechis carinatus), in a 9-year-old boy is reported which we believe to represent the most severe and prolonged case yet of non-fatal snake-bite envenomation in a human. The initial clinical features included loss of consciousness within minutes of the bite, followed by a period of partial recovery. The child subsequently developed total body paralysis, acute renal failure, and gross rhabdomyolysis. Artificial ventilation was maintained for 10 weeks; muscle paralysis and paresis persisted for 18 weeks before neuromuscular function returned to normal. Recovery occurred in centripetal fashion, the respiratory muscles and the palatal muscles being the last to recover. Acute renal failure persisted for 18 days and was treated by peritoneal dialysis. Some beneficial effects were seen even when antivenom was given 90 hours after the bite, but gross rhabdomyolysis caused by this species is not prevented by the administration of antivenom after 60 hours. It is concluded that if life can be sustained for 10 weeks by artificial ventilation, normal intellectual and neuromuscular recovery is possible in such cases.     

Acute renal failure with myoglobinuria after tiger snake bite.

This report concerns a cause of snake bite by a tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) in which the predominant pathological feature was acute massive rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria, hypocalcaemia and acute renal failure.     

Virulent resurgence of malaria in Calcutta, West Bengal

The reasons of virulent resurgence of malaria and the measures adopted for its control in a metropolitan city by Calcutta Municipal Corporation is discussed in detail along with proper references. Publicity compaign, especially among school students, has been stressed.