PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Marta Rios
AU  - Cristiana Ribeiro
AU  - Paula Soares
AU  - Rosa Amorim
AU  - Angélica Osório
AU  - Banquart Leitão
AU  - Alexandra Almeida
TI  - Volkmann ischemic contracture in a newborn
AID  - 10.1136/bcr.05.2011.4201
DP  - 2011 Sep 27
TA  - BMJ Case Reports
PG  - bcr0520114201
VI  - 2011
4099  - http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2011/bcr.05.2011.4201.short
4100  - http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2011/bcr.05.2011.4201.full
AB  - Congenital Volkmann ischemic contracture is a very rare condition in which a neonate presents skin, muscular and nerve lesions due to increased intracompartment pressure and subsequent ischemia, probably due to extrinsic intrauterine compression. In this age group, there are only about 50 reported cases and a specific cause is unknown. The authors describe the case of a newborn who presented with bullous and ulcerated skin lesions and nerve palsy of his forearm at birth, evolving to subcutaneous and muscular necrosis and contracture. Two surgeries were performed and the baby began a daily physiotherapy program that resulted in aesthetical improvement and recovery of his hand and forearm mobility. Early recognition of this rare entity and subsequent emergency fasciotomy are the best ways to improve prognosis.