Risks to infants from bites of the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
By: , and 

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Abstract

The brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis, is abundant on Guam and commonly invades human habitations. Data on emergency room visits on Guam document a high freguency of snakebites on Guam. Over 50% of the emergency room visits for snakebite involved children <4 years old. Records exist of 4 infants, 1, 2, 5, and 10 months old, who displayed significant symptoms after being bitten, while sleeping, by snakes. Two infants developed respiratory problems within a few hours and required medical treatment for asphyxiation. Lethargy, diminished sensory perceptions, drooping eyelids, swelling, discoloration, and bleb formation were variable in occurrence in the patients.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Risks to infants from bites of the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)
Series title American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
DOI 10.4269/ajtmh.1990.42.607
Volume 42
Issue 6
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 5 p.
First page 607
Last page 611
Other Geospatial Guam
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