Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is the leading cause of acute kidney failure in children and typically results as a complication of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) infection. It can also result from other infections such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, hereditary factors, toxin exposure, lupus, pregnancy and cancer, but all these forms are much rarer (1). HUS can affect both adults and children, but is much more common in children (2).
E. coli O157 and HUS in Children
Children are at high risk of developing HUS from an E. coli O157:H7 infection. The primary reason for this is that their immune systems are not as developed.
One reason HUS is particularly bad for children is because the kidneys produce a hormone that regulates blood preasure, and this is more true for children. The HUS prevents this regulation, causing very high, dangerous blook pressure in a child. This can lead to stroke, neurological problems and a host of other extremely serious medical conditions.
The high blood pressure is treated with blood preasure medications. It is possible your child may end up on these medications for the rest of his or her life.
Moreover, your child may have lifelong kidney problems, possibly dialysis and/or a kidney transplant.
HUS Complications
Each year in the U.S., there are about 7,500 cases of HUS, most of them involving children. The mortality rate for HUS, which primarily affects children under 10, is between 3-7% (1). Among the elderly, HUS has a dire prognosis, with mortality rates up to 50% (3).
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is characterized by damage and destruction of the red blood cells, which leads to a lower than normal number of red blood cells (a condition called anemia), blood clots, and damage to blood vessel walls. Complications of HUS are severe and can include the following:
- Hemolytic anemia
- Kidney failure (renal failure)
- Gall stones
- Pancreatitis
- Central Nervous System (CNS) disturbances such as irritablilty, behavior changes, disorientation, delerium, hallucinations, dizziness and tremors
- Seizures
- Coma
- Stroke
- Encephalopathy
- Respiratory disease syndrome
- Convulsions
- Heart problems
- Cortical blindness
- Thrombocytopenia (platelet deficiency in the blood)
- Death
Read more about HUS:
- Child E. coli HUS: Attorney Video
- HUS Risk Factors
- HUS Symptoms and Diagnosis
- HUS Treatment
Sources:
1. Razzaq S. 2006. Hemolytic uremic syndrome: an emerging health risk. Am Fam Physician. 74:6:991-996.
2. Andreoli SP. 1999. The pathophysiology of the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 8:459-64.
4 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2007). Escherichia coli O157:H7 from the Bad Bug Book. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Online at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap15.html
