REYE'S SYNDROME

General Information

DEFINITION--A rare disease in children and adolescents that involves inflammation of the brain and other major organs, mainly the liver, which is damaged due to fatty deposits.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Brain; liver; kidneys; heart.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Children from infancy through adolescence.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Vomiting.
• Lethargy.
• Drowsiness.
• Confusion.
• Delirium.
• Personality changes (irritability, combativeness).
• Seizures.
• Weakness and paralysis in an arm or leg.
• Double vision.
• Speech impairment.
• Coma.

CAUSES--Unknown. Reye's syndrome usually follows a virus infection. Some studies link it to the use of aspirin during a viral illness, especially chickenpox and influenza.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Recent illness, such as chickenpox, influenza or other respiratory illness.
• Use of aspirin.

HOW TO PREVENT--Don't give a child under the age of 18 aspirin for any illness with fever until the doctor has diagnosed it. If the illness is diagnosed as viral, never use aspirin.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory studies, such as blood studies of liver function and an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and EEG (See Glossary).

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Doctor's treatment.
• Hospitalization, with specific treatment determined by severity of the illness. May involve feeding tube, urinary catheter, mechanical breathing support, kidney dialysis, blood transfusion, cardiovascular monitoring, and therapies to reduce pressure on the brain.
• Home care during convalescence.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Permanent brain damage, coma or death caused by pressure on the brain.
• Pneumonia.
• Respiratory failure.
• Heart rhythm problems or heart attack.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--With treatment, the majority of patients will have a mild illness. Most recover completely, but some have varying degrees of brain damage.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• The family should maintain an optimistic outlook, stay in close contact with the patient's doctor and help by making their visits with the patient brief and as supportive as possible.
• See Resources for Additional Information.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Intravenous fluids.
• Anticoagulant drugs to prevent blood-clot formation during prolonged bed rest.
• Drugs, such as dexamethasone, to reduce cerebral swelling.
• Antibiotics to fight secondary bacterial infections, if they develop.
• Newer drugs such as L-Carnitine that are being studied.

ACTIVITY--Bed rest is necessary until the acute stage is over. Normal activities may then be resumed gradually.

DIET--Nothing by mouth initially. After recovery, no special diet required.

Call Your Doctor If

• Your child has symptoms of Reye's syndrome. Call at the first sign of confusion, lethargy or other mental changes!
• After hospitalization, any symptoms of Reye's syndrome recur or the child develops fever.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.