Vasodilators and hypertensive encephalopathy following scorpion envenomation in children.

Twenty-three children were admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit for scorpion envenomation with severe hypertension. The hypertension responded to analgesics and sedatives in 15 (65 percent) of the 23. The remaining eight children required specific antihypertensive therapy, and their condition promptly responded to intravenous hydralazine and sublingual nifedipine; rebound hypertension was observed in one. Hypertension is a frequent complication of a scorpion's sting in children, and specific antihypertensive therapy is indicated in severe cases. Hydralazine and nifedipine are effective and safe in such instances.