Reyes Syndrome – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Reye’s syndrome is a rare but serious condition that causes swelling in both the liver and brain. This condition can affect people of any age, though it most commonly occurs in children and teenagers.
Reye’s syndrome typically develops after a viral infection such as influenza or chickenpox.
The symptoms of Reye’s syndrome can be severe. They include confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness. These symptoms require immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for saving a child’s life.
Healthcare professionals have identified a link between aspirin use and Reye’s syndrome in children and teenagers who have viral illnesses like the flu or chickenpox.
For this reason, parents should never give aspirin to children or teenagers. Instead, safer alternatives for treating fever or pain include:
- Children’s acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Children’s ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Always consult with a healthcare provider if you have questions about appropriate medications for your child.
Signs and Symptoms
Early Warning Signs
Reye’s syndrome symptoms typically appear 3 to 5 days after a viral infection starts. These infections may include the flu, chickenpox, or an upper respiratory illness like a cold.
In children with Reye’s syndrome, blood sugar levels drop while blood ammonia and acidity rise. The liver may become enlarged, and fat deposits can build up. Brain swelling might occur, potentially causing seizures, convulsions, or unconsciousness.
Progressive Symptoms
Young children under age 2 often show different initial symptoms than older children. Toddlers might have diarrhea and breathe faster than normal.
Older children and teens typically experience persistent vomiting that doesn’t stop. They may also become unusually sleepy or lethargic.
As the condition worsens, more serious symptoms can develop:
- Behavioral Changes: Irritability, aggression, or irrational behavior.
- Mental Confusion: Disorientation or hallucinations.
- Physical Weakness: Arm and leg weakness or paralysis.
- Neurological Problems: Seizures, extreme sluggishness.
- Reduced Consciousness: Being difficult to wake or unresponsive.
These advanced symptoms require immediate emergency medical attention.
Medical Attention Guidelines
Getting quick medical help for Reye’s syndrome can be lifesaving. Know when to seek care:
Get emergency help immediately if your child:
- Has seizures
- Becomes unconscious
Call your healthcare provider if your child has these symptoms after a viral illness:
- Repeated vomiting
- Unusual sleepiness or lethargy
- Sudden changes in behavior
Don’t wait to see if symptoms improve on their own, as early treatment significantly improves outcomes.
Causes
The precise cause of Reye’s syndrome remains unknown, though research has established a strong link with aspirin use during viral illnesses. Several contributing factors may be involved in how this condition develops.
Some children who appear to have Reye’s syndrome may actually have an underlying metabolic disorder. Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency is the most common of these disorders.
In MCAD deficiency, the body lacks a crucial enzyme needed to convert certain fats into energy.
People with fatty acid oxidation disorders face a higher risk of developing Reye’s-like symptoms when taking aspirin during an illness. Medical screening tests can identify these disorders in children.
Viral infections, particularly influenza and chickenpox, often precede the development of Reye’s syndrome. These illnesses seem to create conditions that, when combined with aspirin use, can trigger the syndrome.
Other Important Factors
- Genetic predisposition may play a role
- Age (typically affects children and teenagers)
- Timing of aspirin administration during viral illness
While exposure to certain chemicals like insecticides, herbicides, and paint thinners can cause symptoms resembling Reye’s syndrome, these substances don’t actually cause the condition itself.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase the chance of developing Reye’s syndrome:
- Taking aspirin during viral illnesses like chickenpox, influenza, or upper respiratory infections
- Having an underlying metabolic disorder, particularly fatty acid oxidation disorders
These risk factors are especially concerning when they occur together in the same person.
Complications
Reye’s syndrome, while survivable by most young patients, can leave lasting brain damage in varying degrees.
Without proper medical care, this condition can be fatal within days. If you notice symptoms in a child, seek immediate medical help.
Preventing Reye’s Syndrome
The most important step in preventing Reye’s syndrome is avoiding aspirin in children and teenagers. This is especially important when they have viral illnesses like flu or chickenpox.
Aspirin can appear under several different names on medication labels:
- Acetylsalicylic acid
- Acetylsalicylate
- Salicylic acid
- Salicylate
Always check medication labels carefully before giving any medicine to children. Aspirin can be found in unexpected products like Alka-Seltzer and some over-the-counter remedies.
For treating pain or fever in children with viral illnesses, safer alternatives include:
| Safe Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|
| Acetaminophen | Tylenol |
| Ibuprofen | Advil, Motrin |
Some hospitals now screen newborns for fatty acid oxidation disorders. This can identify children at higher risk for Reye’s syndrome. If your child has been diagnosed with such a disorder, it’s crucial to avoid aspirin completely.
There are some exceptions to the no-aspirin rule. Children with certain chronic conditions like Kawasaki disease may need long-term aspirin therapy under medical supervision.
In these cases, making sure your child has current vaccinations is essential.
This includes getting the yearly flu vaccine and completing the two-dose chickenpox vaccine series to reduce the risk of viral illnesses that could trigger Reye’s syndrome when combined with aspirin use.
