A 12-year-old boy in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, developed a potentially life-threatening condition after his right hand and leg were suspended by a rope for four hours while he was playing alone.
Unable to free himself, the boy’s limbs remained compressed and deprived of adequate blood and oxygen for an extended period.
His parents eventually rescued him and were alarmed to find that his urine had turned a dark soy sauce-like colour. They immediately rushed him to hospital.
Doctors at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Shanxi Children’s Hospital diagnosed the boy with rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which damaged skeletal muscle cells break down and release substances such as myoglobin and muscle enzymes into the bloodstream.
In this case, prolonged suspension and compression of the boy’s limbs caused muscle tissue to suffer from restricted blood flow, resulting in extensive muscle damage.
The breakdown can trigger serious complications, including acute kidney injury and electrolyte disturbances, and can become life-threatening if left untreated.
Medical staff immediately began emergency treatment, including intravenous fluids, urine alkalisation, measures to accelerate the removal of harmful substances and treatment to protect kidney function.
The boy’s muscle enzyme levels, kidney function and urine output were also closely monitored throughout his treatment. Doctors also prepared a blood-adsorption treatment plan in case his condition deteriorated.
After a week of intensive treatment and careful monitoring, the boy did not develop organ failure and his medical indicators gradually returned to normal.
He eventually made a full recovery and was discharged from hospital.
