16 Research Updates in Medical Sciences (RUMeS) 2013, Volume 1; Issue 2 page 16 – 20 Research Article Clinical Features and Complications of Scorpion Sting: A Descriptive Study Praveen Kumar Devarbhavi 1 , Vasudeva Murthy 2 , Sami Abdo Al-Dubai 3 , Mustafa Ahmed Alshagga 4 1 Department of Medicine, S.S. Institute of Medical Science and Research centre. Davangere. India. 2 Department of Pathology, International Medical University, 126 Jalan 19/155b, 57000 Kuala Lumpur. 3 Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, International Medical University, 126 Jalan 19/155b, 57000 Kuala Lumpur. 4 Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, No.1, Jalan Sarjana 1, Kota Ilmu, EduCity@Iskandar, 79200 Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Vasudeva Murthy Email: vasudeva@imu.edu.my Received 01-05-2013; Accepted 09-05-2013 Copyright © 2013 Devarbhavi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. How to cite: Praveen Kumar Devarbhavi , Vasudeva Murthy, Sami Abdo Al -Dubai, Mustafa Ahmed Alshagga 2013. Clinical Features and Complica tions of Scorpion Sting: A Descriptive Study. Reseach Updates in Medical Sciences 1(2): 16-20. ABSTRACT Background: Scorpion sting is a common problem in rural parts of India. It is uncommon for patients with scorpion sting to present with life threatening complications. This study aimed to describe the clinical manifestations and complications of scorpion sting. Methods: A descriptive study of clinical features and complications of patients diagnosed with scorpion sting and admitted in two hospitals attached to Jagadguru Jayadeva Murugarajendra (J.J.M) Medical College in Davangere, a state at the southern India. Re- sults: A total of 52% of scorpion sting cases were patients between the age group of 15 to 30 years. Pain at the sting site (100%) and tachycardia (78%) were the most common presenting signs and symptoms respectively. Pulmonary oedema (24%) and myocarditis (18%) were the two most serious complications. Most of the cases (94%) recovered completely without any sequale. Mortality (4%) was secondary to severe pulmonary oedema and myocarditis. Conclusion : Cardiovascular complications were most common causes of death from scorpion sting. Early treatment may prove to be necessary for complete recovery. Keywords : complications; envenomation; pulmonary oedema; mesobuthus tamulus; myocarditis; scorpion sting. 1. Introduction Scorpions are the oldest arachnids for which their fosilled remains were known. They are reputed to be one of the first land animals on earth. Human beings have known the scorpion species since centuries ago as evident by the mythological data. There are about 1500 scorpion species worldwide, of which 50 species are known dan- gerous to humans. Almost all of potentially lethal scorpion belongs to Buthide family. There are reportedly 86 species of scorpi- ons found in India [1,2]. Three species Mesobuthus Tamulus and Palamneus -swammerdami, Heterometrus bengalensis are of medical importance. Scorpion enven- oming is common in many parts of the world particularly in desert, semidesert, tropical and subtropical regions . Scorpion sting, a common problem in Indian villages, may present as acute life threatening emergency in India [2]. In states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pra- desh, Sauraahtra and Tamil Nadu, there were 11-15 re- ports per month on severe scorpion stings due to Meso- buthus Tamulus species of scorpion [3]. Primary health centre is the medical aid which is first sought by villagers. Villagers may have to travel 10 to 20 miles or more to get medical help. As cardiovascular morbidity and mortal- ity depend upon the time interval between sting and hos- pitalization, a delay in the transportion of these patients to the nearest large hospital may contribute to their death.