Rhabdomyolysis in Children: A State-of-the-Art Review

Rhabdomyolysis in pediatric patients is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers, leading to the release of intracellular components such as myoglobin, potassium, and creatine kinase into the bloodstream. This process can result in se...

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Main Authors: Manson Chon In Kuok, Winnie Kwai Yu Chan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Children
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/492
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author Manson Chon In Kuok
Winnie Kwai Yu Chan
author_facet Manson Chon In Kuok
Winnie Kwai Yu Chan
author_sort Manson Chon In Kuok
collection DOAJ
description Rhabdomyolysis in pediatric patients is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers, leading to the release of intracellular components such as myoglobin, potassium, and creatine kinase into the bloodstream. This process can result in severe electrolyte imbalances and acute kidney injury (AKI), sometimes necessitating kidney replacement therapy. While rhabdomyolysis is well studied in adults, pediatric cases present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to distinct etiologies and clinical manifestations. This review explores the pathophysiology, etiologies, complications, treatment, and outcomes of rhabdomyolysis, with a particular focus on the pediatric population. Emerging evidence regarding the role of hemoadsorption in myoglobin removal is discussed and summarized. Additionally, we propose a systematic framework for the management and monitoring of these patients.
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spelling doaj-art-061f3b3d920d49c69e6745ab1914916f2025-08-20T02:28:27ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-04-0112449210.3390/children12040492Rhabdomyolysis in Children: A State-of-the-Art ReviewManson Chon In Kuok0Winnie Kwai Yu Chan1Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, ChinaRhabdomyolysis in pediatric patients is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers, leading to the release of intracellular components such as myoglobin, potassium, and creatine kinase into the bloodstream. This process can result in severe electrolyte imbalances and acute kidney injury (AKI), sometimes necessitating kidney replacement therapy. While rhabdomyolysis is well studied in adults, pediatric cases present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to distinct etiologies and clinical manifestations. This review explores the pathophysiology, etiologies, complications, treatment, and outcomes of rhabdomyolysis, with a particular focus on the pediatric population. Emerging evidence regarding the role of hemoadsorption in myoglobin removal is discussed and summarized. Additionally, we propose a systematic framework for the management and monitoring of these patients.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/492rhabdomyolysismyositiscreatine kinaseacute kidney injury
spellingShingle Manson Chon In Kuok
Winnie Kwai Yu Chan
Rhabdomyolysis in Children: A State-of-the-Art Review
Children
rhabdomyolysis
myositis
creatine kinase
acute kidney injury
title Rhabdomyolysis in Children: A State-of-the-Art Review
title_full Rhabdomyolysis in Children: A State-of-the-Art Review
title_fullStr Rhabdomyolysis in Children: A State-of-the-Art Review
title_full_unstemmed Rhabdomyolysis in Children: A State-of-the-Art Review
title_short Rhabdomyolysis in Children: A State-of-the-Art Review
title_sort rhabdomyolysis in children a state of the art review
topic rhabdomyolysis
myositis
creatine kinase
acute kidney injury
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/492
work_keys_str_mv AT mansonchoninkuok rhabdomyolysisinchildrenastateoftheartreview
AT winniekwaiyuchan rhabdomyolysisinchildrenastateoftheartreview