Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in a Young Boy After Receiving a Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a clinically diagnosed multifaceted condition comprising of physical complaints often with a psychological component. CRPS can result in devastating chronic pain and disability if not treated early and aggressively. Mostly seen in adults, CRPS is being described more frequently in children. There have been some rare reports of CRPS occurring after vaccine administration. This is a case report of a young boy who developed CRPS after receiving a routine vaccination.CasePresentation: Although CRPS has been reported after rubella and hepatitis B vaccine, this is a case of CRPS after a diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine. Delays in diagnosis may cause undue pain, extended lengths of treatment, requirements for more intense therapy, and less likelihood for complete functional restoration. Because there seems to be no common constituent to the vaccines described in this case, the resultant CRPS may be purely due to injection-site trauma.Conclusion: We encourage physicians to be wary of the syndrome and its link to multiple vaccines in order to initiate prompt treatment.Key words: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), children, vaccination, diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (TDAP)