Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury in dengue fever

Abstract

Rhabdomyolysis is a rare but potentially lethal complication of severe dengue fever. We present a case of 21-year-old man with fever, bodyache and black coloured and decreasing amount of urine. He was positive for NS 1 (nonstructural protein-1) antigen and IgM antibody for dengue. Platelet count was below 20×10 9 /L and kidney function test was deranged. Urine was positive for myoglobin. The patient was managed emergently on conservative lines and improved in 10 days. Rhabdomyolysis should always be kept in mind in a patient with severe dengue, as its early detection and prompt management can prevent further progression to acute renal failure.