Severe Pediatric Snakebite With Coagulopathy and Compartment Syndrome: Conservative Management With Plasma Exchange

ABSTRACT

Snakebite envenomation is a global public health concern, and hemotoxic bites can lead to severe coagulopathy, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and compartment syndrome. We describe a previously healthy 6‐year‐old boy who presented with progressive left lower limb swelling, discoloration, and bleeding from intravenous cannula sites following a snakebite sustained in rural Pakistan, consistent with severe hemotoxic envenomation. Despite antivenom and transfusion support, he developed persistent venom‐induced consumption coagulopathy with hypofibrinogenemia, markedly prolonged clotting times, thrombocytopenia, and features of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Severe limb swelling raised concern for compartment syndrome; however, fasciotomy was deferred due to the high risk of bleeding in the setting of uncontrolled coagulopathy. Transferred to Bahrain, he underwent five sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange, initiated due to ongoing clinical and laboratory deterioration, resulting in stabilization of hematologic parameters, resolution of limb swelling, and preservation of limb function. This case highlights the role of plasma exchange in children unresponsive to conventional therapy and demonstrates that conservative management of suspected compartment syndrome may be feasible when surgical intervention carries significant risk, underscoring the importance of early recognition and multidisciplinary care in complex pediatric envenomation.