Fatu M., 13

Fatu Mohammed is a thirteen-year-old girl from the nomadic Fulani community in Marama, Birniwa Local Government Area. She lives with her aging father, an elderly man with little income. Her father passed away several years ago. They have no permanent home and no access to healthcare. Her stepfather is frail now. When Fatu was bitten by a snake while fetching water for their cattle, her stepfather carried her for miles across the bush, crying out for help. He heard about Helpster Charity Foundation and brought Fatu to Adari Medical Clinic, begging for help to save his only daughter. Fatu Mohammed, a thirteen-year-old girl from the Fulani community in Marama, Birniwa, was brought to Adari Medical Clinic after being bitten by a snake, possibly a viper, while fetching water near their cattle camp approximately eight hours prior to arrival. Her stepfather reported that Fatu screamed and collapsed, and he saw a thick, dark-colored snake slither away. Within minutes, her leg began to swell rapidly. By the time they reached the clinic, Fatu's entire right leg was massively swollen, discolored, and painful. She had bleeding from the bite site, bleeding from her gums, blood in her urine (hematuria), and was showing signs of shock - rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, and confusion. On examination, she had two fang marks on her right lower leg, extensive swelling extending from her foot to her upper thigh, bruising, blistering, and active oozing of blood from the bite site. Laboratory tests confirmed venom-induced coagulopathy (abnormal blood clotting), thrombocytopenia (low platelets), and anemia. She was Diagnosed with viper envenomation complicated by local tissue damage, systemic bleeding, and coagulopathy. She was admitted immediately for antivenom administration and supportive care.

Fatu was brought to Adari Medical Clinic by her elderly father after suffering a severe snakebite while fetching water. By the time they arrived, she was critically ill, with extensive swelling of the affected leg, active bleeding, blood in her urine, and signs of shock. She was immediately treated with polyvalent antivenom, fresh frozen plasma, blood transfusion, and supportive care. Over the following days, her condition gradually improved, with bleeding stopping, blood clotting returning to normal, and swelling beginning to subside. Fatu is now clinically stabilized; however, she remains weak and lacks the energy required for full recovery. Continued hospitalization and close monitoring are necessary to ensure complete healing and to detect any delayed complications. Despite her progress, Fatu's stepfather has become increasingly anxious and desperate for discharge. Having walked miles from their camp and possessing very limited resources, he repeatedly expressed his desire to take his daughter home. He was counseled on the importance of continued inpatient care, and reassured that keeping Fatu under medical observation is essential to ensure a safe and complete recovery. Thank You Helpster Charity for Saving yet another life.

Fatu Mohammed, a thirteen-year-old girl from the Fulani community in Marama, Birniwa, presented approximately eight hours after a viper snake bite to her right lower leg. On examination, she had massive swelling from foot to upper thigh, a visible fang marks on her left leg, active bleeding from the bite site, hematuria (blood in urine), blistering, and ecchymosis. She was in shock, tachycardia (heart rate 130 bpm, hypotension blood pressure 90/50 mmHg, and confusion. Laboratory tests confirmed venom-induced coagulopathy (prothrombin time >60 seconds, INR >4.0, fibrinogen undetectable), severe thrombocytopenia (platelets 25,000), and anemia (Hb 8.2 g/dL). This is a life-threatening emergency with high mortality. She needed immediate administration of polyvalent antivenom (effective against vipers), intravenous fluids for resuscitation, blood transfusion for bleeding and anemia, tetanus toxoid, pain management, close monitoring of coagulation parameters and renal function, and wound care. Prognosis is guarded but favorable with prompt antivenom administration. Without antivenom, she would have died from bleeding, shock, or kidney failure. With treatment, she is expected to recover fully, though she may have scarring at the bite site.