Massive edema may follow as the veins coagulate and the muscles swell, with resulting compartment syndromes. Hypotension, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, and severe myoglobinuria may cause acute renal failure. Lightning rarely, if ever, produces entry and exit wounds and seldom causes muscle damage or myoglobulinuria, because the duration of current is too short to break down the skin and tissues. Some form of amnesia generally results. Neuropsychologic damage, pain syndromes, and sympathetic nervous system damage are the most common long-term sequelae.
Cardiopulmonary arrest is the most common cause of death.
Toddlers who suck on extension cords can burn their mouth and lips. Such burns may cause not only cosmetic deformities but also growth problems of the teeth, mandible, and maxilla. Prevention Education about and respect for electricity as well as common sense are essential. Any electric device that touches or may be touched by the body and may be life threatening should be properly grounded and incorporated into circuits containing protective circuit-breaking equipment. Ground-fault circuit breakers, which trip when as little as 5 mA of current leaks to ground, are excellent and are readily available.