[Postoperative malignant hyperthermia in a 7-day-old infant?]

A 7-day-old male newborn developed malignant hyperthermia postoperatively (uncomplicated surgical reposition of a local skull impression caused by birth trauma; general anesthesia with succinylcholine and halothane/N2O). The clinical course was typical (body temperature up to 43.7 degrees C) and led to death 30 h after anesthesia. It is emphasized that malignant hyperthermia may occur unexpectedly in the postoperative period, so that all medical personnel on surgical wards, especially in pediatrics, should be able to diagnose this life-threatening disease as soon as possible and provide adequate therapy with dantrolene.