Clinical rhabdomyolysis

Although rhabdomyolysis is an uncommon disorder, especially in children, it can present as a severe, life-threatening event. Paediatricians need to be aware of this important, probably underdiagnosed disorder in order to impl ement appropriate early treatment. In this report, seven children with rhab domyolysis of both forms, endogenous and exogenous, are presented. Despite comprehensive 'up-to-date' investigations being performed on paediatric pat ients with endogenous (often recurrent) rhabdomyolysis, the majority of the se patients' underlying disorders will remain undiagnosed. Overall, these p atients usually have a Very good prognosis even if repeated, severe life-th reatening episodes occur. It is recommended that a regimen of early therapy with fluids and sodium bicarbonate be instituted in all patients with rhab domyolysis.