Boy recovers from severe kidney injury after snakebite

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An eight-year-old boy from Sanjamala village in Kurnool district, who developed severe acute kidney injury following a snakebite, has recovered after timely intensive care, haemodialysis and close monitoring at KIMS Cuddles in Kurnool.

The child, Rithik, was bitten by a snake on his left leg while playing in the premises of his house and was given traditional treatment. In the next 24 hours, his urine output declined, and he developed swelling of the body and rapid breathing. He was subsequently brought to KIMS Cuddles, where he was evaluated and admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

According to Consultant Paediatric Intensivist, Dr. P.V. Ravi Kiran, the child was found to have severe acute kidney injury, with serum creatinine at 7.5 mg/dL and blood urea at 170 mg/dL. His blood pressure was also significantly elevated. “Given the severity of the kidney injury and the marked reduction in urine output, haemodialysis was initiated and continued for few days, along with appropriate management of his blood pressure and other supportive measures. His urine output gradually improved and kidney function subsequently returned towards normal,” said Dr. Ravi Kiran.

The child responded well to treatment, with gradual improvement in urine production and renal function. After his condition stabilised, he was found to be clinically well and was discharged from the hospital.

Dr. Ravi Kiran said that snakebite can cause serious systemic complications and may affect organs beyond the site of the bite. In children, reduced urine output, swelling, breathing difficulty, changes in blood pressure, weakness, bleeding or other unusual symptoms following a snakebite should be considered warning signs requiring immediate medical attention.

He advised against applying a tight tourniquet or other traditional measures without medical guidance. Immediate transportation to an appropriate medical facility and receiving antisnake venom remains the most important step following a suspected snakebite.

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