Acute Compartment Syndrome in Children

Excerpt

Compartment syndrome can occur due to a number of different etiologies, but most frequently occurs following high-energy trauma, which is less frequent in children than it is in adults. While the pathophysiology of compartment syndrome is the same as in adults, unique aspects of pediatric compartment syndrome include the challenges in examining and communicating with very young children. In addition, because the condition occurs uncommonly in children, providers caring for children may be unfamiliar with the signs of symptoms of patients developing compartment syndrome. While acute compartment syndrome in adults typically is observed to develop with the first 24 hours after injury, it has been suggested that the time between injury and development of peak compartment pressures may be longer in children. Even longer times from inciting event or symptoms onset has been reported in children developing non-fracture-related compartment syndrome.