An observational study in Scorpion Envenomation, sponsored by University of Guadalajara. Completed at 1 site in Mexico. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-13.
Sponsored by University of Guadalajara · Observational
Scorpion stings are a common medical emergency in Mexico, particularly in the state of Jalisco. While antivenom is the standard treatment for scorpion envenomation, there is variability in how it is used, including differences in dosing strategies. In addition, many patients use home remedies before seeking medical care, which may delay treatment and influence the severity of symptoms.
This study is an observational, retrospective analysis of patients treated for scorpion envenomation in the emergency department of a public hospital in Jalisco, Mexico, between 2021 and 2023. Using information from medical records, the study examines the relationship between the use of home remedies, the time to receive medical care, clinical severity at presentation, and the antivenom dosing strategies used, including traditional and reduced-dose approaches.
The goal of this study is to better understand factors associated with clinical severity and antivenom use in real-world emergency care. The results may help inform future clinical decision-making, promote rational use of antivenom, and improve timely access to appropriate medical treatment for patients with scorpion envenomation.
University of Guadalajara is the lead sponsor of 94 studies on the registry; 18 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
patients of all ages who presented with scorpion envenomation to the emergency department of a public hospital in Jalisco, Mexico, between 2021 and 2024. Patients were evaluated and treated as part of routine clinical care, following local clinical practice and national guidelines.
Exclusion Criteria:
This group includes patients diagnosed with scorpion envenomation who were managed using a reduced-dose antivenom strategy during routine emergency care. In this approach, antivenom (faboterápico) was administered primarily to patients with systemic manifestations of envenomation. The initial dose generally consisted of a single intravenous vial, with additional vials administered only if clinical symptoms persisted or progressed after reassessment. Patients who did not receive antivenom because they presented without systemic symptoms were also included in this group. This management strategy differs from the Mexican national Clinical Practice Guidelines, which recommend antivenom administration to all patients with scorpion envenomation, regardless of the presence or absence of systemic symptoms. All treatment decisions were made by the treating physicians as part of standard clinical care, without protocol-mandated interventions.
This group includes patients diagnosed with scorpion envenomation who were managed according to the traditional antivenom dosing strategy recommended by the Mexican national Clinical Practice Guidelines. These guidelines advise administering antivenom (faboterápico) to all patients with scorpion envenomation, independent of whether systemic symptoms are present, with dosing adjusted based on patient age and clinical severity. Under this strategy, patients typically received one or more intravenous vials of antivenom as an initial dose, with additional doses administered at predefined intervals if symptoms persisted, in accordance with guideline-based algorithms. All treatments were provided as part of routine emergency care, and no interventions were assigned for research purposes. This group reflects standard-of-care antivenom use in Mexico during the study period.
Clinical resolution of symptoms within 3 hours
Proportion of patients with scorpion envenomation who achieved complete clinical resolution of signs and symptoms within three hours after initial medical management in the emergency department.
Time frame: From emergency department admission to 3 hours after initial treatment.
Need for additional antivenom doses
Proportion of patients who required one or more additional doses of antivenom after the initial administration due to persistence or progression of clinical symptoms.
Time frame: From initial antivenom administration until emergency department discharge (up to 24 hours)
Total number of antivenom vials administered
Total number of antivenom (faboterápico) vials administered per patient during emergency department management.
Time frame: From initial antivenom administration until emergency department discharge (up to 24 hours)
Use of supportive medications
Use of additional supportive medications, including benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, opioids, antiemetics, or other agents, administered during emergency department management.
Time frame: From initial antivenom administration until emergency department discharge (up to 24 hours)
Clinical severity at presentation
Clinical severity of scorpion envenomation at the time of emergency department presentation, classified according to national clinical criteria (mild, moderate, or severe), based on documented signs and symptoms
Time frame: At emergency department triage (baseline)
Use of home remedies prior to medical care
Proportion of patients who reported the use of home remedies (traditional treatments) prior to seeking medical care for scorpion envenomation, as documented in the medical record.
Time frame: At emergency department triage (baseline)
Delay to medical care
Time elapsed between scorpion sting and arrival at the emergency department.
Time frame: From time of scorpion sting to recorded emergency department triage time (baseline)
Plan to share: Undecided
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This study is completed, as verified in Feb 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Scorpion Stings
University of Guadalajara