title: Clinical spectrum of rhabdomyolysis presented to pediatric emergency department.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening syndrome that can develop from a variety of causes. The aim of the work is to analyze the clinical spectrum and to evaluate the prevalence of various etiologies in children, who present to the emergency department (ED) with rhabdomyolysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 6-year study period, we retrospectively analyzed the medical charts of patients, aged 18 years or younger, with a definite diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis and serum creatinine phosphokinase (CK) levels greater than 1000IU/L. We analyzed the clinical spectrum and evaluated the potential risk factors of acute renal failure (ARF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-seven patients (mean age = 10.2 ± 5.5 years), including 26 males and 11 females, were enrolled in the study. Two of the most common presented symptoms in these 37 patients were muscle pain and muscle weakness (83.8% and 73%, respectively). Dark urine was reported in only 5.4% of the patients. The leading cause of rhabdomyolysis in the 0- to 9-year age group was presumed infection, and the leading cause in the 10- to 18-year age group was trauma and exercise. The incidence of ARF associated with rhabdomyolysis was 8.1 % and no child needed for renal replacement therapy (RRT). We did not identify any reliable predictors of ARF or need for RRT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The classic triad of symptoms of rhabdomyolysis includes myalgia, weakness and dark urine are not always presented in children. The cause of rhabdomyolysis in younger age is different from that of teenager group. However, the prognosis of rhabdomyolysis was good with appropriate management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Taichung Tzuchi Hospital, the Buddhist Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan. arthur1226@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chun-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yan-Ren
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Lu-Lu
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Wen-Chieh
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yu-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Kang-Hsi
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Han-Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D003402:Creatine Kinase