PEDIATRICS Vol. 76 No. 2 August 1985, pp. 255-258
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Rhabdomyolysis and Myoglobinemia in Neonates

J. W. Kasik MD1, M. P. Leuschen PhD1, D. L. Bolam MD1, and R. M. Nelson MD1

1 From the Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha

Serial myoglobin determinations were made in 20 neonates during the first week of life to determine whether birth asphyxia results in ischemic damage to muscle with the subsequent pathologic release of myoglobin. Serum myoglobin values were significantly elevated in asphyxiated infants compared with control infants. High myoglobin values correlated with a longer duration of oliguria in the neonatal intensive care unit population. The value of urine dipstick testing for myoglobinuria screening was also evaluated. Infants with elevated myoglobin values were more likely to have a strongly positive urine dipstick for occult blood in the first 48 hours of life. These data suggest that ischemic damage to muscle with pathologic release of myoglobin occurs in the neonatal period and that urine dipstick testing provides a reasonable screening examination for myoglobinuria.

Key Words: rhabdomyolysis • myoglobin • asphyxia • renal failure

Submitted on April 30, 1984
Accepted on August 16, 1984