Case Report of Exertional Rhabdomyolysis in a 12-Year-Old Boy

Abstract

Exertional rhabdomyolysis has been well characterized, and many case reports exist. No cases of exertional rhabdomyolysis in young healthy children (preteen) have been published. Reviewed were the medical records of a 12-yr-old boy who participated in an indoor physical education class where excessive (>250) repetitive squat jumps were performed as punishment for talking in class. The boy, who reported intense muscle soreness in the thighs and dark urine 2 d postexercise, was brought to the emergency room by his parent. His serum creatine kinase (CK) was 92,115 U.L(-1) and urinalysis indicated the presence of blood and protein. He was transferred to another hospital that evening, admitted, and treated for 7 d. His serum CK rose to 244,006 U.L(-1) at 4 d postexercise. Although exertional rhabdomyolysis is rare in young children, it can occur when excessive exercise is spurred on by an adult.