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Reye's Syndrome (RS) is a rare but potentially lethal disease that can occur after a viral illness such as the flu or chicken pox. It usually occurs in children who are between four and 14 years of age.
Reye's Syndrome is not contagious. It has at times been misdiagnosed as another illness like diabetes, encephalitis or meningitis.
Reye's Syndrome will develop very quickly. The organs that are the hardest hit by RS are the liver and the brain.
Fat begins to accumulate at an unusual rate in the liver and other organs. Intense pressure begins to build in the brain causing swelling and may lead to brain damage.
Early diagnosis is crucial, otherwise death can follow within days. Early diagnosis however can mean a very good chance of full recovery.
Symptoms of Reye's Syndrome can include unaccustomed aggression, convulsions and disorientation. The child may exhibit delirium, extreme listlessness, seizures and frequent or violent vomiting.
The child may lose consciousness or may even lapse into a coma. It's vital that you seek medical attention right away. Call 911 or go quickly to the emergency room at the nearest hospital, as immediate hospitalization and emergency treatment will be required.
The cause of Reye's Syndrome is unknown, and there is no known cure at this time. The goal of emergency treatment will be to reduce brain swelling, in the hopes of preventing brain damage, as well as to prevent lung complications and cardiac arrest.
A healthy fluid and electrolyte balance will be sought to provide the best chance of full recovery for the child. If brain swelling can be brought under control, full recovery may be possible, though brain damage can be the result if treatment is not fast or effective enough.
If the child's breathing is too labored, mechanical ventilation through a breathing machine or respirator can be utilized. Insulin may be administered to assist glucose metabolism.
Corticosteroids may be given to reduce brain swelling. Diuretics may be used to reduce the amount of fluid.
It is believed that the use of aspirin is a major risk factor for Reye's Syndrome. This includes over-the-counter medications that contain aspirin such as Pepto-Bismol. It also includes anything with oil of wintergreen, which has aspirin compounds known as salicylates, in it.
Since the warning to avoid the use of aspirin for children, the number of cases of RS has dropped dramatically. Never give your child aspirin.
Resources:
Reye syndrome
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001565.htm
What Is Reye's Syndrome?
http://www.reyessyndrome.org/what.html
NINDS Reye's Syndrome Information Page
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reyes_syndrome/reyes_syndrome.htm
Infections: Reye Syndrome
http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medicine/reye.html
Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger
Add a Comment2 Comments
Thank you for this article. We do want to let you know that we often see Reye's Syndrome in children 1 year of age up to 23 years of age. It does become more rare with age. We don't want parents to think that their children are safe if the child is under the age of 4 (we have many, many documented cases of children under 4 coming down with RS) or that children are out of the woods for Reye's after the age of 14. We have many teen and college age cases documented.
The National Reye's Syndrome Foundation recommends that children not be given aspirin containing products from birth to 19 years of age. We also caution new parents not to breast feed if they are taking aspirin because aspirin is transferable in breast milk.
For the most in-depth information regarding Reye's Syndrome, visit www.ReyesSyndrome.org.
-- The National Reye's Syndrome Foundation
June 10, 2010 - 12:07pmThis Comment
Thank you for updating this information and for continuing to raise awareness about Reye's Syndrome.
June 10, 2010 - 12:38pmThis Comment