Need for emergency department observation after scorpion sting: prospective study and review of the literature in the Middle East.

OBJECTIVE: To question the existing practice to observe the victims of scorpion sting in the emergency department at least for 6 h. METHODS: Prospective study of all adult patients presenting to emergency department after scorpion sting during 3 years, and review of existing literature from Middle East countries. CONCLUSION: Serious toxicity after scorpion sting in Israel and some of neighboring countries is rare, and always presents within 1 h from the sting. Thus, prolonged observation can be reserved for a high-risk population and patients with serious toxicity on admission.