1/9/2014 Pattern of stingray injuries reported to Texas poison centers from 1998 to 2004

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Impact Factor: 1.453 | Ranking: 65/85 in Toxicology Source: 2012 Journal Citation Reports®(Thomson Reuters, 2013)

Human & Experimental Toxicology

het.sagepub.com

doi: 10.1191/0960327105ht566oaHum Exp Toxicol December 2005 vol. 24 no. 12 639-642

Pattern of stingray injuries reported to Texas poison centers from 1998 to 2004

Mathias B. Forrester

Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit, Texas Department of State Health Services, 1100 W 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756,

USAmathias.forrester@dshs.state.tx.us

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between selected factors and all human exposures involving stingray injuries reported to Texas poison centers. Cases

were obtained retrospectively from calls to poison centers in Texas and included all reported human exposures involving stingray injuries from 1998 to 2004.

The distribution of cases was determined for a variety of demographic and clinical parameters. A total of 153 cases were identified. The reported stingray

injury penetrance increased during the 7-year period. Of the cases with a known patient age, 2% were < 6 years, 25% were 6-19 years. The stingray injuries

occurred in public areas in 54% of the cases. In 61% of cases, the management site was reported not to be a health care facility. Of the cases with a known

clinical outcome, none involved no effects and 53% involved minor effects. The highest proportion of stingray injuries occurred during the summer months,

particularly August. In 60% of the cases, the calls originated from counties along the coast. This information can be used to identify those portions of the

population most in need of education regarding the prevention and treatment of stingray injuries.

clinical effects geography poison center stingray injury treatment

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