[Reflex sympathetic dystrophy in children]

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) in children is a clinical syndrome characterized by pain in the extremities associated with hyperesthesia and vasomotor changes. The symptoms frequently result in serious impairment in function of the involved extremity. Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible and include intensive physical therapy; analgesics and transcutaneous nerve stimulation can be added as needed. Compared with the adult, childhood RSD is of unknown etiology and has a better prognosis. RSD has attracted little attention in clinical pediatric practice and in pediatric textbooks and the literature, so the diagnosis may be missed. We report 2 girls with RSD, aged 12 and 15 years, respectively, who were successfully treated with conservative measures; both recovered, with no sequelae.