Blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio in rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis, a potentially life-threatening syndrome, is not an uncommon condition with around 38,000 cases been reported in the USA in 2000. The risk of developing acute renal failure in the initial days of presentation can be as high as 40% and approximately 28-37% of patients require short-term hemodialysis. This report discusses a case of rhabdomyolysis after seizures in which blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and BUN/creatinine levels were examined during the course of illness in the hospital. We found that the BUN/creatinine ratio is not a reliable indicator of renal function in rhabdomyolysis. Potassium levels can be a better marker for the early recognition of acute renal failure and an indication for prompt treatment with dialysis, which is crucial to prevent fatal complications.