Description

Reye's syndrome is a serious disease that causes inflammation in the liver and the brain. It can occur at any age, but usually affects children and adolescents after a viral infection, most commonly the flu or chickenpox. Reye's syndrome is rare. The condition is also known as Reye's syndrome.

Symptoms such as confusion, seizures and loss of consciousness need for emergency treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment of Reye's syndrome can save a child's life.

Aspirin has been associated with Reye's syndrome in children or teenagers who have the flu or chickenpox. Do not give children or teenagers aspirin. To treat fever or pain, consider giving your child in the baby or child acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). The babies or children-paracetamol and ibuprofen medications are safer alternatives to aspirin. Talk with your health care professional if you have concerns.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Reye's syndrome usually begin about 3 to 5 days after a viral infection begins. The viral infection may be the flu, also known as the flu or chickenpox. Or Reye's syndrome may develop after an infection of the upper respiratory tract, such as a cold.

In Reye's syndrome, a child of sugar in the blood decreases, while the levels of ammonia and acidity in the blood increase. The liver can also become swollen, and the fat can accumulate. The swelling can occur in the brain. This can cause seizures, convulsions or loss of consciousness.

The initial symptoms

For children under 2 years of age, the first symptoms of Reye's syndrome may include:

  • The diarrhea.
  • Rapid breathing.

For older children and teens, the first symptoms may include:

  • The vomiting that won't stop.
  • Have you sleepy or slow.

Additional symptoms

As the condition worsens, symptoms may be more severe, including:

  • Irritable, aggressive or irrational behavior.
  • Confusion or see or hear things that do not exist.
  • Weakness in the arms and legs, or of not being able to move.
  • Seizures.
  • Too slow.
  • Decreased level of consciousness.

These symptoms require emergency treatment.

When to see a doctor

Early diagnosis and treatment of Reye's syndrome can save a child's life. If you suspect that your child has the Reye's syndrome, it is important to act quickly.

Get emergency medical help if your child:

  • Has seizures.
  • Loses consciousness.

Please contact your child's healthcare provider if your child experience the following symptoms after having the flu or chicken pox:

  • Vomits repeatedly.
  • Becomes unusually sleepy or slow.
  • Has sudden changes in behavior.

Causes

The exact cause of Reye syndrome is not known. The use of aspirin during a viral illness that has most commonly been linked with Reye's syndrome. Several factors can play a role.

In some children, the symptoms of Reye's syndrome can be caused by another medical condition, such as a metabolic condition. This can occur even without the use of aspirin.

Metabolic conditions are rare. The most common condition that causes Reye's syndrome is medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency. In the deficiency of MCAD, the body cannot break down certain fats into energy. This happens because an enzyme that is missing or not working correctly. The deficiency of MCAD is a fatty acid oxidation disorder.

In people with a fatty acid oxidation disorder, the use of aspirin during a viral illness is more likely to trigger symptoms of Reye's syndrome. A screening test can determine if your child has a fatty acid oxidation disorder.

Reye's syndrome may develop after a flu or chickenpox in particular.

Exposure to certain toxins, such as pesticides, herbicides, and paint thinner — can produce symptoms similar to Reye's syndrome. But these toxins do not cause Reye's syndrome.

Risk factors

The following risk factors — in general when present together can cause Reye's syndrome:

  • The use of aspirin for the treatment of viral infections such as chicken pox, the flu or an upper respiratory infection.
  • Have a metabolic condition. This can include a fatty acid oxidation disorder.

Complications

The majority of children and adolescents who have Reye's syndrome survive. However, varying degrees of lasting brain damage are possible. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, Reye syndrome can cause death in a few days.

Prevention

To prevent Reye's syndrome, do not give children or teenagers aspirin. This includes the plain of aspirin and medications that contain aspirin. Aspirin has been associated with Reye's syndrome in children and teenagers who have the flu or chickenpox.

Some hospitals and medical centers of the screen newborns for fatty acid oxidation disorders to determine which children are at greater risk of developing Reye's syndrome. It is especially important not to use aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin to children with known disorders of fatty acid oxidation.

Always check the label before giving the medicine to your child. This includes products that you buy without a prescription, and alternative or herbal remedies. Aspirin may appear in some unexpected products such as Alka-Seltzer.

Sometimes aspirin goes by other names, such as:

  • The aspirin.
  • Acetylsalicylate.
  • The salicylic acid.
  • Salicylate.

For the treatment of fever or pain associated with the flu, chickenpox, or other viral disease, give your child a safer alternative to aspirin. This can include infants or children acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others).

There is an exception to the general rule about the aspirin. Children and adolescents who suffer from certain chronic diseases, such as Kawasaki disease, may need long-term treatment with medications that contain aspirin.

If your child needs to take aspirin, make sure your child's vaccinations are current. This includes two doses of the varicella vaccine and yearly flu vaccine. Avoiding these two viral diseases can help to prevent Reye's syndrome.

Diagnosis

There is No specific test to diagnose Reye's syndrome. The screening usually begins with blood and urine tests. You can also include tests for disorders of fatty acid oxidation, and other disorders.

Sometimes it is necessary to perform other tests to rule out other conditions that may affect the liver or the nervous system. For example:

  • Spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture.A lumbar puncture can help to identify or rule out other diseases with similar symptoms. A lumbar puncture may reveal an infection of the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, known as meningitis. Or you can help to diagnose the inflammation or infection in the brain, called encephalitis. During a lumbar puncture, a needle is inserted through the bottom of the back and into a space between two bones. A small sample of the fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord is removed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
  • The liver biopsy.A liver biopsy can help identify or rule out diseases that can affect the liver. In people with Reye's syndrome, a liver biopsy may show a build-up of fat in the cells of the liver. During a liver biopsy, a needle is inserted through the skin in the upper right part of the stomach and in the liver. A small sample of liver tissue is removed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
  • Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.A head ct scan or an mri may help to identify or rule out other causes of changes in behavior or decreased alertness. These tests can show inflammation in the brain, which can be caused by Reye's syndrome. A ct scan uses a series of x-rays taken from different angles to create a detailed picture of the brain. An mri uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves instead of X-rays to generate images of the brain.

Spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture. A lumbar puncture can help to identify or rule out other diseases with similar symptoms. A lumbar puncture may reveal an infection of the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, known as meningitis. Or you can help to diagnose the inflammation or infection in the brain, called encephalitis.

During a lumbar puncture, a needle is inserted through the bottom of the back and into a space between two bones. A small sample of the fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord is removed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

The liver biopsy. A liver biopsy can help identify or rule out diseases that can affect the liver. In people with Reye's syndrome, a liver biopsy may show a build-up of fat in the cells of the liver.

During a liver biopsy, a needle is inserted through the skin in the upper right part of the stomach and in the liver. A small sample of liver tissue is removed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. A head ct scan or an mri may help to identify or rule out other causes of changes in behavior or decreased alertness. These tests can show inflammation in the brain, which can be caused by Reye's syndrome.

A ct scan uses a series of x-rays taken from different angles to create a detailed picture of the brain. An mri uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves instead of X-rays to generate images of the brain.

Treatment

The treatment for Reye's syndrome is usually done in the hospital. The severe symptoms can be treated in the intensive care unit. Health professionals closely monitor your child's blood pressure and other vital signs. The specific treatment may include:

  • Intravenous (IV) fluids. Sugar — also called glucose and electrolytes in solution can be administered through an INTRAVENOUS line.
  • Diuretics. These medications may be used to decrease the pressure of the fluid in the brain. Diuretics also increase fluid loss through the urine.
  • Medicines to prevent bleeding. Bleeding due to liver problems may require treatment with vitamin K, plasma, and platelets.
  • Cooling blankets. These blankets help to keep the internal body temperature to a safe level.

A breathing machine called a ventilator can help, if your child has trouble breathing.

Preparing for your appointment

Reye's syndrome is often diagnosed in an emergency situation. This is due to the severe symptoms caused by Reye's syndrome, such as seizures or loss of consciousness. Sometimes the first symptoms may request an appointment with a health care professional.

Your child may be referred to a specialist in diseases of the nervous system and the brain, known as a neurologist.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time of making the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do beforehand.
  • Make a note of the symptoms your child is experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Make a list of all the medications. Include vitamins, dietary supplements and medicines you can buy without a medical prescription that your child has taken. Be sure to include any medication that contains aspirin. Better yet, take the original bottles and a written list of the dose and directions.
  • Take along a family member or friend. It can be difficult to remember all the information provided to you during an appointment. A friend or family member may remember something that you've forgotten or lost.
  • Write questions to ask their health professional. Don't be afraid to ask questions or speak up when you don't understand something.

A list of questions from most important to least important to make the most of your time. To Reye's syndrome, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What are other possible causes of the symptoms of my son?
  • What are the tests needed to confirm the diagnosis?
  • What are the treatment options and the advantages and disadvantages of each?
  • What results can I expect?
  • What type of follow-up should I expect?

In addition to the questions you have prepared, do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

The neurologist is likely to ask about your child's symptoms and history of the viral diseases. The neurologist can do a medical examination and testing schedule to gather information about the condition of your child. The tests can also rule out other diseases, such as meningitis or encephalitis.

Symptoms and treatment of Reye's syndrome