Bee stings of children: when to perform endotracheal intubation?

Am J Otolaryngol. 2005 Jul-Aug;26(4):272-4. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2005.01.002.

Abstract

Hymenoptera stings account for more deaths in United States that any other envenomation. Oropharyngeal stings, although rare, may produce life-threatening airway obstruction by way of localized swelling. We present 4 cases of bee stings in children that necessitated tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Two children had breathing difficulties at admission; the other 2 presented with minimal symptoms but were preventively intubated and mechanically ventilated. Orofacial bee sting victims should be given parenteral treatment with epinephrine, steroids, antihistamines, and inhalational bronchodilators even when they initially present with minimal symptoms, with general anaphylaxis management in large envenomations, as well as immediate endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours in patients with signs of airway compromise.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / etiology*
  • Airway Obstruction / therapy*
  • Animals
  • Bees*
  • Bronchial Spasm / etiology
  • Bronchial Spasm / therapy
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Edema / etiology
  • Edema / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insect Bites and Stings / complications*
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / methods*
  • Male
  • Time Factors
  • Tongue Diseases / etiology
  • Tongue Diseases / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome