Acquired Constriction Ring Syndrome as a Cause of Inconsolable Crying in a Child: A Case Report

In 2008, a 14-month-old girl experienced inconsolable crying and refusal to feed due to acquired constriction ring syndrome (ACRS), where a hair was tightly wrapped around her left third toe. Initially missed in the emergency department, the condition was later identified by an orthopaedic team. The hair was surgically removed under general anesthesia, which resolved the child's symptoms. The case report highlighted the need for early recognition and treatment of ACRS to prevent severe outcomes like auto-amputation, and raised awareness about the potential for misdiagnosis as non-accidental injury. The authors recommended parental education to prevent ACRS and suggested including it in the differential diagnosis for acute swelling in infants and young children's appendages or genitalia.