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Query: UMLS:C0000737 (abdominal pain)
 31,184 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Pediatric cases of black widow spider envenomation (BWSE) were reviewed in order to assess the morbidity and mortality in children with BWSE, and to make recommendations for optimal therapy. The methodology includes a retrospective chart review in an urban pediatric tertiary care hospital. Included were all pediatric patients admitted with the BWSE diagnosis in the last 10 years (1984-1994). The results are based on 12 children with ages ranging from 15 months to 18 years. The BWSE syndrome is characterized by several common systemic effects. Our cases revealed abdominal pain (100%), hypertension (92%), muscle complaints (75%), a target lesion (75%), and irritability/agitation (66%) as the most common symptoms. Treatments used included antivenin, calcium gluconate, benzodiazepines, and opioids. Eight of 12 patients recovered (had relief of symptoms) within 24 hours, often by 12 hours. Antivenin did appear to bring quicker relief of symptoms. Hypertension was severe but asymptomatic in all patients. There were no complications or deaths resulting from BWSE.
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PMID:The black widow: is she deadly to children? 889 46

Black widow spiders (Latrodectus mactans) are found throughout the US. Though bites are relatively uncommon, they pose a significant health problem with over 2500 reported to American poison control centers annually. Black widow spider bites cause a characteristic envenomation syndrome consisting of severe pain, muscle cramping, abdominal pain, and back pain. The significant pain associated with envenomation is often refractory to traditional analgesics. Antivenom (Antivenin Latrodectus mactans) is available and effective, but is often withheld because of a fear of acute hypersensitivity reactions. We report four cases of symptomatic black widow spider envenomation. One of the reported cases was managed without antivenom, and, in contrast, three were treated successfully with Antivenin Latrodectus mactans. We believe that these cases demonstrate safe and effective use of black widow antivenom. This article presents the rationale for use of antivenom in these cases, and a nonsystematic review of the pertinent literature.
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PMID:The treatment of black widow spider envenomation with antivenin latrodectus mactans: a case series. 2205 73

During the summer period 2011-2012, seven widow spider bites in Greece were reported to the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Widow spiders (in the genus Latrodectus) are found all over the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the US. Alpha-latrotoxin (main mammalian toxin) causes the toxic effects observed in humans. Victims should receive timely medical care to avoid suffering. Latrodectus bites are very rarely fatal. All the patients reported having an insect bite 30 minutes to 2 hours before they arrived at the Emergency Department of the local hospital. Severe muscle cramps, weakness, tremor, abdominal pain, and increased levels of creatinine phosphokinase were present in all patients. The Emergency Operation Center of the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention was informed immediately in all cases. Antivenin was administered to four patients upon the request of their physicians. All patients recovered fully. It is essential that health care workers recognize early the symptoms and signs of Latrodectus bites to provide the necessary care. The management of mild to moderate Latrodectus envenomations is primarily supportive. Hospitalization and possibly antivenin should be reserved for patients exhibiting serious systemic symptoms or inadequate pain control. The most important thing for all of these patients is early pain relief.
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PMID:Latrodectus envenomation in Greece. 2566 33