Paediatrica Indonesiana
Vol 41 No 9-10 (2001): September 2001

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)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Oct 2006

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.

Copyrights © 2001






Journal Info

Abbrev

paediatrica-indonesiana

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Paediatrica Indonesiana is a medical journal devoted to the health, in a broad sense, affecting fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, belonged to the Indonesian Pediatric Society. Its publications are directed to pediatricians and other medical practitioners or researchers at all levels of ...