A case of neonatal compartment syndrome: importance of early diagnosis in a rare and debilitating condition

Abstract

Neonatal compartment syndrome (NCS) is a rare condition that is often initially misdiagnosed because its skin lesions mimic several other more common diseases of the newborn. It has not been described in the pediatric literature thus far. Early diagnosis along with fasciotomy may be limb and function-sparing, but only in certain cases, because the exact time and duration of the initial insult and the full extent of damage at presentation is unknown in many cases. We present a case of NCS that was initially thought to be amniotic band syndrome, and delayed fasciotomy and debridement were performed once the correct diagnosis was made. We review the literature of this rare and debilitating condition and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.