Abstract
We report a lethal case of fat embolism syndrome in a nine-year-old child after a direct blunt trauma leading to a pelvic fracture. On the second day, signs of bowel perforation and septic shock led to an acute aggravation of the pulmonary symptoms, cardiac arrest and death. Fat embolism is seldom thought to occur in pediatric trauma patients; however, this case illustrates it can lead to disastrous sequela. Since there is no specific treatment for it, prevention by early fracture stabilization is the only option.
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Teeuwen, P.H.E., Sloots, P.C.E.J., de Blaauw, I. et al. A Lethal Case of Fat Embolism Syndrome in a Nine-Year-Old Child: Options for Prevention. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 35, 311–313 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-008-8141-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-008-8141-6