1 Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine
A case of idiopathic paroxysmal myoglobinuria is reported. This is a disease of unknown etiology, characterized by severe muscle pain and weakness or complete paralysis and by the excretion of burgundycolored urine. The urine is free of erythrocytes but gives a strongly positive benzidine reaction. There is no discoloration of the plasma. A definite diagnosis can be made by spectroscopic examination of the urinary pigment and identification of the absorption bands characteristic of myoglobin.
The underlying pathologic process and clinical manifestations are discussed.
This report describes the treatment of a 15-year-old boy who recovered despite the development of both respiratory paralysis and acute renal failure, complications which are responsible for the mortality rate of 30% from this disorder.
Submitted on May 29, 1958