Reye's Syndrome
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What is Reye's Syndrome?Is there any treatment?What is the prognosis?What research is being done?OrganizationsWhat is Reye's Syndrome?
Reye's syndrome (RS) is primarily a children's disease, although it can occur at any age. It affects all organs of the body
but is most harmful to the brain and the liver--causing an acute increase of pressure within the brain and, often, massive
accumulations of fat in the liver and other organs. RS is defined as a two-phase illness because it generally occurs in conjunction
with a previous viral infection, such as the flu or chicken pox. The disorder commonly occurs during recovery from a viral
infection, although it can also develop 3 to 5 days after the onset of the viral illness. RS is often misdiagnosed as encephalitis,
meningitis, diabetes, drug overdose, poisoning, sudden infant death syndrome, or psychiatric illness. Symptoms of RS include
persistent or recurrent vomiting, listlessness, personality changes such as irritability or combativeness, disorientation
or confusion, delirium, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. If these symptoms are present during or soon after a viral
illness, medical attention should be sought immediately. The symptoms of RS in infants do not follow a typical pattern; for
example, vomiting does not always occur. The cause of RS remains a mystery. However studies have shown that using aspirin
or salicylate-containing medications to treat viral illnesses increases the risk of developing RS. A physician should be consulted
before giving a child any aspirin or anti-nausea medicines during a viral illness, which can mask the symptoms of RS.
Is there any treatment?
There is no cure for RS. Successful management, which depends on early diagnosis, is primarily aimed at protecting the brain
against irreversible damage by reducing brain swelling, reversing the metabolic injury, preventing complications in the lungs,
and anticipating cardiac arrest. It has been learned that several inborn errors of metabolism mimic RS in that the first manifestation
of these errors may be an encephalopathy with liver dysfunction. These disorders must be considered in all suspected cases
of RS. Some evidence suggests that treatment in the end stages of RS with hypertonic IV glucose solutions may prevent progression
of the syndrome.
What is the prognosis?
Recovery from RS is directly related to the severity of the swelling of the brain. Some people recover completely, while others
may sustain varying degrees of brain damage. Those cases in which the disorder progresses rapidly and the patient lapses into
a coma have a poorer prognosis than those with a less severe course. Statistics indicate that when RS is diagnosed and treated
in its early stages, chances of recovery are excellent. When diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the chances for successful
recovery and survival are severely reduced. Unless RS is diagnosed and treated successfully, death is common, often within
a few days.
What research is being done?
Much of the research on RS focuses on answering fundamental questions about the disorder such as how problems in the body's
metabolism may trigger the nervous system damage characteristic of RS and what role aspirin plays in this life-threatening
disorder. The ultimate goal of this research is to improve scientific understanding, diagnosis and medical treatment of RS.
Select this link
to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
Organizations
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane, CDER-HFD-240
Rockville,
MD
20857
http://www.fda.gov
Tel: 301-827-4573
888-INFO-FDA (463-6332)
|
National Reye's Syndrome Foundation
P.O. Box 829
426 North Lewis
Bryan,
OH
43506-0829
nrsf@reyessyndrome.org
http://www.reyessyndrome.org
Tel: 419-636-2679
800-233-7393
Fax: 419-636-9897
|
Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by
or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice
on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined
that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.
All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.
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Last updated February 14, 2007
