Reye's syndrome is a serious condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain. It can occur at any age but usually affects children and teenagers after a viral infection, most commonly the flu or chickenpox. Reye's syndrome is rare. The condition also is known as Reye syndrome.
Symptoms such as confusion, seizures and loss of consciousness need emergency treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment of Reye's syndrome can save a child's life.
Aspirin has been linked 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 infants' or children's acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Infants' or children's acetaminophen and ibuprofen medicines are safer alternatives to aspirin. Talk to your healthcare professional if you have concerns.
The symptoms of Reye's syndrome usually start about 3 to 5 days after a viral infection begins. The viral infection may be the flu, also known as influenza, or chickenpox. Or Reye's syndrome may develop after an upper respiratory infection such as a cold.
In Reye's syndrome, a child's blood sugar usually drops while levels of ammonia and acidity in the blood rise. The liver also may swell, and fats may build up. Swelling may occur in the brain. This can cause seizures, convulsions or loss of consciousness.
For children younger than age 2, the first symptoms of Reye's syndrome may include:
For older children and teenagers, early symptoms may include:
As the condition gets worse, symptoms may become more serious, including:
These symptoms need emergency treatment.
Early diagnosis and treatment of Reye's syndrome can save a child's life. If you suspect that your child has Reye's syndrome, it's important to act quickly.
Seek emergency medical help if your child:
Contact your child's healthcare professional if your child experiences the following symptoms after having the flu or chickenpox:
The exact cause of Reye's syndrome is not known. The use of aspirin during a viral illness has most commonly been linked to Reye's syndrome. Several factors may play a role.
In some children, the symptoms of Reye's syndrome may be caused by another health 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 MCAD deficiency, the body can't break down certain fats to turn them into energy. This happens because an enzyme is missing or not working properly. MCAD deficiency is a fatty acid oxidation disorder.
In people with a fatty acid oxidation disorder, aspirin use 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 influenza or chickenpox in particular.
Exposure to certain toxins — such as insecticides, herbicides and paint thinner — may produce symptoms similar to Reye's syndrome. But these toxins don't cause Reye's syndrome.
The following risk factors — usually when they occur together — may lead to Reye's syndrome:
Most children and teenagers who have Reye's syndrome survive. However, varying degrees of lasting brain damage are possible. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, Reye's syndrome can cause death within a few days.
To prevent Reye's syndrome, do not give children or teenagers aspirin. This includes plain aspirin and medicines that contain aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome in children and teenagers who have the flu or chickenpox.
Some hospitals and medical facilities screen newborns for fatty acid oxidation disorders to determine which children are at greater risk of developing Reye's syndrome. It's especially important not to give aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin to children with known fatty acid oxidation disorders.
Always check the label before you give your child medicine. This includes products you buy without a prescription and alternative or herbal remedies. Aspirin can show up in some unexpected products such as Alka-Seltzer.
Sometimes aspirin goes by other names, such as:
For the treatment of fever or pain related to the flu, chickenpox or another viral illness, give your child a safer alternative to aspirin. This may include infants' or children's acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others).
There's an exception to the general rule about aspirin. Children and teenagers who have certain chronic diseases, such as Kawasaki disease, may need long-term treatment with medicines that contain aspirin.
If your child needs to take aspirin, make sure your child's vaccines are current. This includes two doses of the chickenpox vaccine and a yearly flu vaccine. Avoiding these two viral illnesses can help prevent Reye's syndrome.
There's no specific test to diagnose Reye's syndrome. Screening usually begins with blood and urine tests. It also may include testing for fatty acid oxidation disorders and other disorders.
Sometimes other tests are needed to check for other conditions that may be affecting the liver or nervous system. For example:
Spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture. A spinal tap can help identify or rule out other diseases with similar symptoms. A spinal tap can reveal an infection of the lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, known as meningitis. Or it can help diagnose swelling or an infection of the brain, called encephalitis.
During a spinal tap, a needle is inserted through the lower back into a space between two bones. A small sample of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord is removed and sent to a lab for testing.
Liver biopsy. A liver biopsy can help identify or rule out conditions that may be affecting the liver. In people with Reye's syndrome, a liver biopsy can show a buildup of fats in liver cells.
During a liver biopsy, a needle is inserted through the skin on the upper right side of the stomach and into the liver. A small sample of liver tissue is removed and sent to a lab for analysis.
CT scan or MRI. A head CT scan or MRI scan can help identify or rule out other causes of behavior changes or decreased alertness. These tests may show swelling in the brain, which may be caused by Reye's syndrome.
A CT scan uses a series of X-rays taken from different angles to create a detailed image of the brain. An MRI scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves rather than X-rays to generate images of the brain.
Treatment for Reye's syndrome usually is done in the hospital. Serious symptoms may be treated in the intensive care unit. Healthcare professionals closely monitor your child's blood pressure and other vital signs. Specific treatment may include:
A breathing machine called a ventilator can help if your child has trouble breathing.
Reye's syndrome is often diagnosed in an emergency situation. This is because of the serious symptoms caused by Reye's syndrome, including seizures or loss of consciousness. Sometimes early symptoms may prompt an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Your child is likely to be referred to a specialist in conditions of the brain and nervous system, known as a neurologist.
Here are some tips to help you get ready for your appointment.
List your questions from most important to least important to make the most of your time. For Reye's syndrome, some basic questions to ask include:
In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.
The neurologist is likely to ask about your child's symptoms and history of viral illnesses. The neurologist may do a medical exam and schedule tests to gather information about your child's condition. Tests also may rule out other diseases, such as meningitis or encephalitis.
