[Epidemiology of scorpion envenomations in the pediatric service of the Agadez hospital center (Niger) in 1999].

In Agadez, northern Niger, envenomations due to scorpion sting is a major public health problem, ranking first among reasons for emergency admission to hospital and inducing significant mortality. In order to provide best medical care, improved knowledge of scorpion sting envenomation was required. From April to September 1999, we carried out a prospective, descriptive survey on the paediatric ward of the departmental hospital of Algadez. All children admitted to the ward for scorpion stings were included. Data was collected by questionnaire. Requested items were age, sex, type of scorpion, sting location, and clinical development. Over the 6 months of the survey, a total of 44 cases of scorpion sting were recorded on the ward. The majority of the cases (52%) were recorded in July. The main types of scorpion identified according to colour were black (18%), yellow (18%), and brown (5%). In 59% of the cases, the type of scorpion was not identified. 6-15 year-old children represented 50% of the cases. The lower limb was the main site of stings (66%). A majority of cases (52%) were admitted fewer than 30 minutes after the sting, and 30% between 30 minutes and 1 hour after the sting. The overall lethality rate was 23% (10/44). All the deaths occurred within 2 hours following the sting. Of all the deaths, 60% (6/10) occurred with 30 minutes after the sting. Our study has shown that scorpion stings remain a significant health problem in the area. As a consequence of our findings, we have introduced a new therapeutic protocol for the early case management.