Medline ® Abstracts for References 14,15

Ten cases of acute renal failure (ARF) were seen in the period from July 1990 to August 1991 in the Nephrology Department of the SIMS Hospital, Srinagar. All were males in the age group of 18-28 years and in apparent good health when apprehended by the police. There was alleged history of physical torture of different types. All had been beaten on the buttocks, back and limbs; in addition, 2 cases had been given repeated electric shocks and 1 case put to 'sit-and-stand' exercise for about 3 h. The interval between the first day of torture till they came to our observation varied from 4 to 11 days. The main clinical features at the time of presentation were generalized aches and weakness (10), oligoanuria (9), vomiting (8), hypertension (6), acidosis (10), facial puffiness and pedal edema (6), fever and shivering (3), pulmonary edema (2), stupor (4), and hyperkalemia (5). All the cases had an established ARF (serum creatinine 668-1,997 mumol/l and serum urea 21.8-71.8 mmol/l) when first seen. Muscle enzymes, creatine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase were all significantly raised indicating rhabdomyolysis. All showed evidence of myoglobin casts in urine. Nine had oliguric and 1 had nonoliguric ARF. All except the 1 case with nonoliguric ARF were managed with peritoneal dialysis and/or hemodialysis. All recovered. Early recognition of ARF is important since the main attention in such cases is directed towards the surgical aspect.

Rhabdomyolysis should be suspected in cases of physical child abuse in which there is extensive soft tissue injury. It is easily investigated using the urinalysis and serum CPK levels. Renal failure is the most common complication and manifests itself as acute tubular necrosis, sometimes accompanied by the following specific laboratory abnormalities: elevated creatinine-to-BUN ratio, hyperkalemia, and myoglobinuria. Treatment is aimed at the preservation of renal function and the prevention of complications caused by electrolyte abnormalities. A full recovery can be expected for adults with this disorder, but information about the pediatric population is sparse. Our series suggests rapid improvement with appropriate therapy.