Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure in a Sickle Cell Trait Athlete

This case study reports the clinical details and pathologic mechanisms of a nonfatal case of rhabdomyolysis secondary to heat exhaustion and sickle cell trait (SCT) resulting in acute renal failure. A 19-year-old African American male college football player collapsed after running 5 intervals of 300 m during a preseason conditioning test. After 17 days of treatment, the athlete was released from the hospital to a short-term noncritical care facility for further treatment and dialysis. Scientific literature reports that at least 15 college football players with SCT have died as a result of a sickling crisis after intense physical exertion. This case study presents the clinical importance of prompt medical treatment and sustained low-efficiency dialysis in treating rhabdomyolysis and its sequelae after collapse in an SCT athlete.