ABSTRACT
A large variety of snakes are found in Central America. The family Elapidae, which in Central America includes coral snakes (subfamily Elapinae) and the sea snake (subfamily Hydrophiinae), have species which, despite the fact that they cause relatively few accidents, can induce potentially fatal envenomings. Snakebite envenomings constitute a significant public health problem in this area of the world, mainly affecting the rural population. In some regions of Central America the problem is aggravated by inadequate medical facilities and training to deal with these envenomings. No neurotoxic signs and symptoms have been described in crotaline envenomings in Central America. There is not a systematic collection of epidemiological data related to snakebites in Central America. It has been assumed that lethality is higher in other Central American countries, since antivenom is not readily available, particularly in rural areas. This chapter summarizes the most relevant pathophysiological alterations induced by the venoms of Central American snakes.
