Botrophic-type snakebites in pregnant women in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: to describe the epidemiological profile of bothropic snakebite accidents in pregnant women. Methods: cross-sectional, descriptive, and retrospective study based on data from compulsory notifications of Accidents caused by Venomous Animals, based on bothropic snakebite poisonings in pregnant women, made available by SINAN, through the DATASUS database. Results: the number of cases in Brazil of snakebite accidents involving pregnant women in the period analyzed was 1,335, with a higher prevalence in the years 2007, 2009 and 2019, highlighting 720 cases in the North Region. The 2nd trimester of pregnancy was the most affected, with 606 notifications. Young adult women represented 752 cases; the study suggested a vulnerability of self-declared brown pregnant women with 663 records. There were 1,127 bites to the lower limbs, 466 victims received timely care, contributing to the predominance of 683 cases classified as mild and 1,143 with healing progress. The rates of serotherapy administered may be associated with favorable outcomes.  Conclusion: Even though snakebites are rare in pregnant women, there is a high recorded rate of attacks by botropic snakes in this population. We observed limitations related to the completeness of information available in the database.