Reye's (Reye) syndrome is an uncommon but deadly disorder that involves liver and brain enlargement. Reye's syndrome is most frequent in children and teens who are recuperating from a viral infection, most commonly the flu or chickenpox.
Confusion, convulsions, and loss of consciousness are all signs and symptoms that necessitate immediate medical attention. A child's life can be saved if Reye's syndrome is diagnosed and treated early.
Because aspirin has been associated to Reye's syndrome, exercise care when administering it to adolescents or teens for fever or discomfort. Although aspirin is permitted for use in children above the age of three, children and teens suffering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take it.
Consider giving your kid over-the-counter fever and pain drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc) as a safer alternative to aspirin for fever or pain. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF REYE'S SYNDROME?
When a child has Reye's syndrome, his or her blood sugar level lowers while ammonia and acidity levels rise. Simultaneously, the liver may expand and produce fatty deposits. Swelling in the brain can potentially induce seizures, convulsions, or loss of consciousness.
Reye's syndrome symptoms often develop three to five days after the commencement of a viral illness, such as the flu or chickenpox, or an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold.
The first indications and symptoms
The following symptoms of Reye's syndrome may appear in children under the age of two:
- Diarrhea
- Breathing quickly
Early indications and symptoms in older children and teens may include:
- Vomiting that is persistent or continual
- Sleepiness or lethargy that is unusual
Other signs and symptoms
As the illness worsens, the following signs and symptoms may appear:
- Irrational, violent, or irritable behavior
- Perplexity, confusion, or hallucinations
- Arms and legs weakness or paralysis
- Seizures
- Lethargy that is excessive
- Lower level of consciousness
These signs and symptoms necessitate immediate medical attention.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF REYE'S SYNDROME?
Although the specific etiology of Reye's syndrome is unknown, various variables may contribute to its development. Reye's syndrome appears to be precipitated by the use of aspirin to treat a viral sickness or infection, notably the flu (influenza) and chickenpox, in children and teens with an underlying fatty acid oxidation problem.
Fatty acid oxidation disorders are a set of hereditary metabolic illnesses in which the body is unable to break down fatty acids due to the absence or malfunction of an enzyme. To find out if your kid has a fatty acid oxidation disease, a screening test is required.
In certain situations, the symptoms and indications of Reye's syndrome may be replicated by an underlying metabolic disorder that has gone unnoticed due to a viral infection. The most common of these uncommon illnesses is a lack of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD). Toxins such as insecticides, herbicides, and paint thinner may create symptoms similar to Reye's disease, however these toxins do not cause Reye's syndrome.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR REYE'S SYNDROME?
The following variables may raise your child's chance of having Reye's syndrome, especially when they occur together:
- Taking aspirin to treat a viral infection such as the flu, chickenpox, or upper respiratory infection.
- Having a fatty acid oxidation problem at the root
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF REYE'S SYNDROME?
Most children and teens with Reye's syndrome survive, while irreversible brain damage of varied degrees is likely. Reye's syndrome can be lethal in a matter of days if not properly diagnosed and treated.
HOW IS REYE'S SYNDROME DIAGNOSED?
Reye's syndrome has no particular test. Instead, blood and urine tests, as well as testing for fatty acid oxidation problems and other metabolic diseases, are frequently used to screen for Reye's syndrome.
More invasive diagnostic procedures are often required to rule out other probable causes of liver issues and check any neurological abnormalities. As an example:
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): A spinal tap can help the doctor detect or rule out other disorders with similar signs and symptoms, such as meningitis (infection of the lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) or inflammation or infection of the brain (encephalitis).
A needle is introduced through the lower back into a region below the end of the spinal cord during a spinal tap. A little amount of CSF fluid is extracted and submitted to a laboratory for examination.
- Liver biopsy: A liver biopsy can assist the doctor in identifying and ruling out other illnesses that may be affecting the liver.
A needle is pushed through the skin on the upper right side of the abdomen and into the liver during a liver biopsy. A little amount of liver tissue is extracted and submitted to a laboratory for examination.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A head CT or MRI scan can assist the doctor in identifying or excluding alternative reasons of behavioral abnormalities or reduced attentiveness.
A CT scan produces comprehensive pictures of the brain by using a sophisticated imaging machine linked to a computer. An MRI scan produces pictures of the brain by using a strong magnetic field and radio waves rather than X-rays.
- Skin biopsy: A skin biopsy may be required for testing for fatty acid oxidation disorders or metabolic diseases, however direct gene sequencing combined with blood and urine tests is generally adequate to make such a diagnosis.
During a skin biopsy, a clinician collects a tiny sample of skin for laboratory analysis. A biopsy is often performed at a doctor's office under local anesthesia.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR REYE'S SYNDROME?
Reye's syndrome is often treated in a hospital setting. Severe instances may require admission to the critical care unit. Your child's blood pressure and other vital indicators will be continuously monitored by hospital personnel. Treatment options may include:
- Intravenous fluids: An intravenous (IV) line can be used to provide glucose and an electrolyte solution.
- Diuretics: These drugs may be used to lower intracranial pressure and enhance fluid excretion through urine.
- Medications to prevent bleeding: Bleeding caused by liver disorders may necessitate the use of vitamin K, plasma, and platelets.
- Cooling blankets: This intervention aids in maintaining a safe internal body temperature.
If your kid has difficulty breathing, he or she may require the aid of a breathing machine (ventilator).
HOW CAN REYE'S SYNDROME BE PREVENTED?
When providing aspirin to adolescents or teens, proceed with caution. Although aspirin is permitted for use in children above the age of three, children and teens suffering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take it. This covers both aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines.
Some hospitals and medical facilities test newborns for fatty acid oxidation abnormalities in order to detect which infants are more likely to develop Reye's syndrome. Aspirin and aspirin-containing products should not be given to children who have known fatty acid oxidation problems.
Before giving your kid any medication, including over-the-counter drugs and alternative or herbal therapies, always read the label. Aspirin can be found in unusual locations, such as Alka-Seltzer.
Aspirin is also known by several names, including:
- Acetylsalicylic acid
- Acetylsalicylate
- Salicylic acid
- Salicylate
Consider giving your kid over-the-counter fever and pain drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) as a safer alternative to aspirin for the treatment of fever or pain caused by the flu, chickenpox, or another viral disease.
However, there is one exception to the aspirin rule. Children and teens with some chronic conditions, such as Kawasaki disease, may require long-term therapy with aspirin-containing medications.
If your kid requires aspirin treatment, ensure that all of his or her immunizations are up to date, including two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine and an annual flu vaccine. Reye's syndrome can be avoided by avoiding these two viral infections.