A potentially life-threatening complication of university orientation activities

BACKGROUND: This case report describes a university student who participated in an orientation activity and developed exertional rhabdomyolysis. METHODS: With prompt intravenous volume expansion started in the accident and emergency department, he made an uneventful recovery despite a marked elevation of creatine kinase. The risk factors of developing exertional rhabdomyolysis were reviewed. Suggestions based on these risk factors were made to the organizers of such orientation programmes. RESULTS: He was discharged on day 6. On follow-up on day 8 after presentation at the accident and emergency department, the CK level was 46 000 U/L and it fell to 2600 U/L in another 2 weeks. On follow-up 3 weeks after the incident, he remained well without symptoms. CONCLUSION: For the clinicians, once rhadbomyolysis is suspected or diagnosed, intravenous fluid therapy with a crystalloid should be initiated as soon as possible to prevent the occurrence of acute renal faiure.