Reye's Syndrome - Topic Overview

Topic Overview

What is Reye's syndrome?

Reye's syndrome is a rare but serious disease that most often affects children 6 to 12 years old. It seems to be related to the use of aspirin to treat some viral illnesses, such as chickenpox. Reye's syndrome primarily targets the brain and liver. Brain swelling and chemical changes in the blood from liver damage affect the entire body. Drowsiness, confusion, seizures, coma, and in severe cases, death may result.

What causes Reye's syndrome?

The cause of Reye's syndrome is unknown. However, the disease most often develops in children who have recently had chickenpox (varicella) or flu (influenza) and who have also taken medications that contain aspirin. Reye's syndrome is not contagious.

The most important step you can take to prevent Reye's syndrome is to avoid giving aspirin or products that contain aspirin to anyone younger than 20 unless a health professional has specifically prescribed it.

What are the symptoms?

Often symptoms of Reye's syndrome appear during recovery from a viral infection, such as the flu or chickenpox, that has been treated with aspirin products. Symptoms usually develop 3 to 7 days after a viral illness starts. The symptoms develop rapidly over several hours to a day or two.

The first symptoms may include:

• Sudden onset of retching or vomiting that is not clearly due to stomach flu.
• Sluggishness, lack of energy, and loss of interest in surroundings.
• Strange behavior, such as staring, irritability, personality change, and slurred speech.
• Drowsiness that may lead to severe sleepiness (stupor).

As brain damage progresses, other symptoms may develop, including:

• Confusion and inability to identify whereabouts or family members or to answer simple questions (disorientation).
• Rapid, deep breathing (hyperventilation).
• Aggressive behavior, such as hitting others without reason (combativeness).
• Seizures and abnormal body positioning, and coma.

If Reye's syndrome is not recognized and treated promptly, death can occur.

How is Reye's syndrome diagnosed?

In general, a diagnosis of Reye's syndrome is considered if:

• Your child has recently had a viral illness such as flu or chickenpox and has taken medication that contains aspirin.
• A change in mental status (such as confusion) is noticed and liver problems are identified.
• There is no evidence to suggest that symptoms are caused by other diseases or conditions, such as kidney failure or problems with metabolism.

Lab tests, if needed, include blood and urine tests, a liver biopsy, a CT scan of the head, and a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check for infection in the spinal fluid and to measure the pressure of the fluid within the spinal column.

Reye's syndrome has become very rare since widespread campaigns publicized the dangers of giving aspirin to young people. In the United States, only two cases of Reye's syndrome were reported each year from 1994 through 1997.¹ Since it is so rare, all other possible causes of brain and liver problems must be eliminated before Reye's syndrome is diagnosed.

How is it treated?

If your child has symptoms of Reye's syndrome, seek medical care immediately. Early treatment increases the chance for full recovery. If the disease is diagnosed early, most children recover from Reye's syndrome in a few weeks. However, some children develop permanent brain damage.

The goal of treatment is to stop damage to the brain and liver and to prevent complications. All children with Reye's syndrome are treated in a hospital intensive care unit.

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