Compartment syndrome in a neonate

  • Magdalena Santosa Department of Child Health, Airlangga University Medical School/Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, East Java
  • Fatimah Indarso Department of Child Health, Airlangga University Medical School/Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, East Java
  • Agus Harianto Department of Child Health, Airlangga University Medical School/Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, East Java
  • Sylviati M. Damanik Department of Child Health, Airlangga University Medical School/Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, East Java
  • Erwin Sarwono Department of Child Health, Airlangga University Medical School/Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, East Java
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14238/pi41.5.2001.253-5
Keywords: compartment syndrome, management

Abstract

A neonate born with severe asphyxia and considerable risk of infection was treated with intravenous sodium bicarbonate and intravenous antibiotics. At the age of five days he developed edema of the right forearm, tense on palpation, painful, hyperemic, and the hand was pallor, hypesthetic with maceration of the fifth finger. The diagnosis of compartment syndrome was established but it was delayed at least for about 48 hours. Decompression by fasciotomy using the volar Henry approach was performed; after which the pathologic changes rapidly subsided.  The cause of this syndrome wasprobably due to intravenous sodium bicarbonate and repeated intravenous antibiotics. From this experience it is strongly emphasized that we have to be aware and able to diagnose compartment syndrome at the earliest possible time in severely ill neonates and children who have multiple intravenous injection. Daily inspection and careful evaluation of the condition at the site of the intravenous line will be very crucial to detect the syndrome.

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Published
2006-10-30
How to Cite
1.
Santosa M, Indarso F, Harianto A, Damanik S, Sarwono E. Compartment syndrome in a neonate. PI [Internet]. 30Oct.2006 [cited 22Nov.2024];41(9-10):253-. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/1065
Issue
Vol 41 No 9-10 (2001): September 2001
Section
Articles

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Received 2016-11-22
Accepted 2016-11-22
Published 2006-10-30