Compartment syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, pneumonia, and acute renal failure due to varicella in a previously healthy child

Abstract

Varicella infections are usually considered to be benign. Although very rare, infection of an immunocompetent patient by this virus may result in a severe illness. We describe a case of varicella infection in a previously healthy, immunocompetent 5-y-old boy, complicated with compartment syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), pneumonia, and acute renal failure. He was treated successfully with aciclovir and intravenous immunoglobulins for the varicella infection, a fasciotomy for compartment syndrome, and fresh frozen plasma for DIC.

Keywords::

• Varicella
• child
• disseminated intravascular coagulation
• compartment syndrome
• pneumonia
• acute renal failure

Declaration of interest: I certify that all my affiliations with or financial involvement in, within the past 5 y and foreseeable future, any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript are completely disclosed (e.g. employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, royalties). Consent: The parents of the patient gave consent for the clinical details to be published.