Death of an adolescent athlete with sickle cell trait caused by exertional heat stroke.
OBJECTIVE: To report a case of fatal rhabdomyolysis secondary to exertional heat stroke and the potential influence of sickle cell trait on the outcome of this case. DESIGN: Descriptive case report. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit in an academic children's hospital. MAIN RESULTS: A description of the presentation and clinical course of exertional heatstroke with rhabdomyolysis in an adolescent athlete. The implications of the patient's clinical course and a possible connection to sickle cell trait are also discussed. CONCLUSION: Young athletes with sickle cell trait may be at an increased risk of heat-related illnesses and their complications. Epidemiologic studies are warranted to address this possibility.
Pretzlaff
Robert K.
RK
Division of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Medical Center, Dayton, OH.