A new systematic review in PLOS examines global evidence from 1973 to 2025 on first-aid, pre-hospital care, and harmful indigenous practices in pediatric snakebite envenomation. The study focuses on what happens before a child reaches formal medical treatment, an area that can strongly influence outcomes after a snakebite.
The review highlights snakebite envenomation as a life-threatening neglected tropical disease that places a heavy burden on children in low- and middle-income countries, especially across tropical and subtropical regions. Children are particularly vulnerable because of age-related biological factors and the challenges of getting rapid care in many affected settings.
By bringing together evidence over more than five decades, the paper looks at the early steps taken after a bite, including first aid and other pre-hospital responses. It also addresses indigenous or traditional practices that may be harmful, a major concern when such measures delay effective treatment or worsen injury before hospital care begins.
The review adds to the wider discussion on improving pediatric snakebite care by identifying how early management shapes risk for children. Its global scope points to the need for safer first-aid messaging, faster access to appropriate medical care, and stronger efforts to reduce harmful practices in communities where snakebite remains a serious public health threat.
