Abdominal compartment syndrome requiring urgent decompression in infants with severe respiratory syncytial virus infection: A case series

Introduction

Although extrapulmonary complications can occur in cases of severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections, abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) has not previously been described in the context of RSV. In this case series we describe two infants who presented with severe RSV and subsequently developed ACS.

Case presentations

Case 1: A 7-week-old term infant with severe RSV requiring intubation and care in the ICU. Shortly after admission, she became septic with abdominal distention and erythema, concerning for an intra-abdominal source. In addition, she had increased peak airway and bladder pressures suggestive of ACS. An abdominal ultrasound revealed significant ascites and dilated loops of bowel, but no suitable window for drainage. Given the possibility of intra-abdominal sepsis and ACS, an exploratory and decompressive laparotomy was performed revealing colitis and tense ascites. After relief of ACS, she quickly recovered with successful closure of her abdomen and eventual resolution of her ascites.

Case 2: A 6-month-old preterm infant who presented similarly to Case 1 with symptoms of severe RSV. A few days after ICU admission, she developed abdominal distention with hemodynamic instability, acute kidney injury, and rising bladder pressures, suggestive of ACS. She then urgently underwent a decompressive laparotomy with similar findings of tense ascites and colitis. Despite surgical decompression, however, her sepsis worsened post-operatively with evidence of multisystem organ failure, including hemodynamic instability, anasarca, and coagulopathy. Ultimately, she succumbed to her illness.

Conclusion

Our case series shows that infants with severe RSV are at risk for ACS, which can be deadly despite surgical intervention.