RT Book, Section A1 Hodge, III, Dee A1 Baum, Carl R. A2 Rudolph, Colin D. A2 Rudolph, Abraham M. A2 Lister, George E. A2 First, Lewis R. A2 Gershon, Anne A. SR Print(0) ID 6722326 T1 Chapter 122. Poisonous Bites and Stings T2 Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e YR 2011 FD 2011 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-149723-7 LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6722326 RD 2024/10/09 AB Although a large proportion of the morbidity and mortality from bites and stings occurs in the pediatric age group, there are surprisingly few studies dealing with their diagnosis and treatment in children. As with other injuries, the immediate care of a child suspected of having suffered from an animal bite or sting should start with a rapid evaluation of vital signs, followed by a more detailed assessment of the local signs, including the size and appearance of fang or sting marks, pain, swelling, and color of surrounding skin. Any further investigation of the source of the injury should not result in overlooking the administration of tetanus prophylaxis when appropriate, or in delaying symptomatic treatment of pain and itching. Frequently, a period of observation is necessary to define the seriousness of the injury, particularly when it is not clear whether the causing animal is venomous.