Palghar News: Doctors Save 14-Year-Old Boy’s Life At Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road, After Rare Stroke Triggered By Russell’s Viper Snakebite

Palghar, Maharashtra: In a remarkable feat of emergency medicine, Wockhardt Hospital in Mira Road successfully saved the life of a 14-year-old boy from Manor, Palghar district, after he suffered a venomous snakebite that led to a rare and life-threatening complication, a stroke.

The Incident: A Bite, a Fall, and a Fight for Life

On the evening of February 28, 2025, at around 5:30 PM, Yash Pardeshi, was bitten by Russell’s Viper, one of India's deadliest snakes. Within minutes, he collapsed, lost consciousness, and suffered a traumatic fall from his bed, resulting in serious facial injuries, including multiple bone fractures and damage to his teeth.

He was rushed to the local Primary Health Centre (PHC), wherein he was administered 10 vials of anti-snake venom. However, Yash's condition continued to worsen, prompting an urgent transfer to the specialized care unit at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mira Road.

Coma and a Rare Complication: Stroke

Upon arrival at Wockhardt Hospital, Yash was in a coma, unresponsive and bleeding profusely. CT scans revealed the extent of his injuries, including a fractured nasal septum.

Dr. Ankit Gupta, Consultant in Pediatric Critical Care at Wockhardt Hospitals, said, “Our critical care team acted immediately. We gave him additional 10 vials of anti-venom, put him on a ventilator, and began life-support measures. Treating snakebite patients within an hour is absolutely critical.”

As the child’s condition stabilized, the team noticed paralysis in his left arm and leg, prompting an MRI scan of the brain. The scan revealed a stroke, a rare but known complication of viper venom due to its effects on blood clotting.

A Stroke from a Snakebite? Here's How That Happens

Russell's viper venom is known to have potent effects on blood clotting mechanisms. While typically associated with bleeding disorders, in rare instances, this disruption can lead to the formation of blood clots or hemorrhages in the brain, resulting in a stroke. The stroke in Yash's case was likely triggered by the venom's impact on his vascular system.

A 16-Day Fight for Recovery

Doctors immediately started Yash on blood thinners and began physiotherapy to help him regain motor function. Over the next 15–16 days, his condition improved significantly. Kavita Pardeshi, Yash’s mother, said, “My son’s condition was critical when we brought him to Wockhardt. The doctors gave him a second life.”

Although Yash is on the road to recovery, he continues to experience slightly blurred vision, a residual effect of the venom. “He is recovering well through rehabilitation. We expect his vision to improve with time and care,” added Dr. Gupta.

Snakebite: An Underreported Public Health Emergency

Dr. Akhilesh Tandelkar, Head of Critical Care at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, highlighted the growing public health concern around snakebites. He highlighted that snakebite and related deaths are now classified as a Notifiable Disease in India, meaning that all suspected or confirmed cases must be reported by both government and private healthcare facilities.

"India tragically accounts for nearly half of the world's snakebite fatalities," Dr. Tandelkar stated. "Anti-snake venom remains the only effective treatment for venomous snakebites."

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every 10 seconds, someone is bitten by a snake worldwide. Each year, 81,000 to 138,000 people die due to snakebites. Around 400,000 survivors suffer permanent disabilities, such as limb loss, paralysis, or neurological damage.

In India, the "Big Four" venomous snakes – the Common Krait, Indian Cobra, Russell's Viper, and Saw-scaled Viper – are responsible for approximately 90% of serious envenomation cases due to their widespread distribution and potent venom.

Snakebite Emergency: What to Do

DOs

· Stay calm – Slows venom spread

· Remove tight items – Rings, belts, watches

· Immobilize the limb – Use a splint or sling

· Keep limb below heart level

DON’Ts

❌ Don’t suck the venom

❌ Don’t use a tourniquet

❌ Don’t apply ice or heat

❌ Don’t tie the area tightly

Get Help Fast

· Call an ambulance or rush to a hospital (within 1 hour)

· Try to identify the snake (photo or description)

· Seek medical care even for minor bites

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