Neonatal compartment syndrome

Definition

A rare non-inflammatory vasculopathy characterized by intracompartmental pressure typically in a distal upper extremity due to intrauterine ischemia and external compression. Affected limb presents significant swelling and sentinel skin changes (desquamation, blister/bullae formation, and skin necrosis). It can lead to long-term sequelae including Volkmann contracture, limb length discrepancies,bone growth abnormalities and nerve lesions. Neurologic involvement, ranging from sensory and motor nerve palsies to complete hand paralysis, may persist.