NEW DELHI: A 14-year-old boy bitten by a highly venomous Common Krait while sleeping in his hostel developed severe paralysis that left him unable to open his eyes, speak, swallow or breathe independently. He was saved after emergency treatment and nearly two days of ventilator support at Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital in the national capital.
The boy was bitten on his finger while asleep. Unaware of the bite, he continued sleeping. When he woke up in the middle of the night, he found himself unable to open his eyes. His roommates alerted the hostel nurse, following which he was taken to a nearby government hospital.
Although he received anti-snake venom treatment there, his condition continued to deteriorate. As he began losing consciousness and developed severe neurological symptoms, he was shifted to Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital for advanced treatment.
Dr Syed Mustafa Hasan, Director – Paediatric Services and Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Neonatology at Aakash Healthcare, said, “Krait bites can be particularly dangerous because the bite may initially go unnoticed and may not produce prominent local symptoms. The venom acts on the nervous system and can cause progressive paralysis, affecting the muscles responsible for eye movement, swallowing and breathing. In this child’s case, by the time he reached us, the neurotoxic effects had become severe, with significant respiratory muscle involvement.
“Timely recognition of the condition, administration of appropriate anti-snake venom treatment, ventilatory support and close monitoring were critical to his recovery. This case also highlights why any suspected snakebite, even without visible signs, must be treated as a medical emergency.”
Dr Meena J, Senior Consultant, Paediatrics and Neonatology at Aakash Healthcare, said the child’s condition required continuous monitoring because neurotoxic envenomation can progress rapidly.
“Our priority was to stabilise his breathing, manage the neurological complications and support his vital functions while the effects of the venom were being managed. It was encouraging to see him respond to treatment and gradually regain his ability to breathe independently. His recovery is the result of coordinated efforts and timely clinical intervention. He will continue to require specialist follow-up to ensure that his recovery progresses well,” she said.
Doctors advise that anyone suspected of having suffered a snakebite should be taken immediately to a hospital equipped to manage such emergencies, even if there is no obvious wound or immediate pain. Waiting for symptoms to develop or relying on home remedies can delay lifesaving treatment.
