Sofer S et al, 1994, Israel | Children admitted to PICU after scorpion envenomation. Comparison of 52 children given antivenom between 10 July 1885 and 1 July 1989 and 52 children treated without antivenom between 1 July 1989 and Dec 31 1992 | Cohort | Duration of PICU stay | No significant difference | Historical comparison. Children treated without antivenom may have benefited from improved supportive care |
| | | Duration of hospital stay | No significant difference | |
| | | Full recovery | 49 in antivenom group, 52 in control group | |
| | | Death | 2 in antivenom group, 0 in control group | |
Belghith M et al, 1999, Tunisia | Patients participating in a study on the efficacy of high-dose hydrocortisone after scorpion sting. Matched pair comparison of 135 patients given scorpion antivenom in addition to their trial medication | Cohort | Clinical improvement | 50% of antivenom group, 64% control group | Retrospective review of patients recruited into another trial. Results not stratified according to hydrocortisone treatment |
| | | Prevention of progression of symptoms | 13% antivenom group, 10% control group | |
| | | Duration of hospital stay | No significant difference | |
| | | Death | 1 in control group | |
Abroug F et al, 1999, Tunisia | 825 consecutive patients aged 10 or older presenting to a non-teaching hospital emergency department | Randomised placebo controlled trial of intravenous scorpion antivenom | Clinical improvement | 55% antivenom group, 66% control group | Trial found to be underpowered to show any difference in mortality as mortality was so low |
| | | Prevention of symptom progression | 94% in antivenom group, 96% in control group | |
| | | Hospital admission | 13% in antivenom group, 9% in control group | |
| | | Duration of hospital stay | No significant difference | |
| | | Death | 1 in each group | |
Ghalim N et al, 2000, Morocco | 275 patients with scorpion envenomation, 179 of whom were treated with antivenom (IM, SC or both routes) | Prospective cohort | Effectiveness of antivenom according to sting admission interval | Antivenom more effective if sting admission interval <1 hour | 90% of patients had only grade I envenomation. No evidence that patients were randomised or that treatment was blinded. Statistical analysis of clinical features unclear. There appears to be a 50% baseline difference in incidence of systemic symptoms between the antivenom and no antivenom groups in favour of the antivenom group |
| | | Local symptoms | Greater reduction in local pain and burning reported with antivenom | |
| | | Systemic symptoms | Lower incidence of systemic symptoms in the antivenom group | |