How to Treat Reye Syndrome
Having Reye Syndrome is very serious, and the symptoms can be very painful and difficult to treat. However, there are certain ways you can help treat this condition. In this article, you will learn about some of these methods.
Case-control studies suggest an association between aspirin and Reye syndrome
Several case-control studies have suggested an association between aspirin and Reye syndrome, a disease that can cause serious complications. However, the relationship between these two illnesses is still a matter of debate. This is because the causes of Reye’s syndrome are not known. It is thought that a viral infection or a genetic metabolic disorder may be the culprit.
Reye’s syndrome is a neurological disorder that affects children from four to twelve years of age. It is often associated with other viral infections, such as reovirus and adenovirus. Among patients with Reye’s syndrome, about one-third will develop long-term neurologic sequelae. Symptoms include delirium, seizures, and respiratory arrest. In some cases, the condition will lead to death. In the United States, the number of Reye’s syndrome cases has declined significantly.
While the cause of Reye’s syndrome is unknown, it is known that the disease can be prevented. A national surveillance system has been developed for Reye’s syndrome based on voluntary reporting of illness. Vaccination is an important way to reduce the risk of the disorder. Aspirin is a common drug used to treat fever-causing illnesses. The Surgeon General advises against the use of aspirin during an infectious disease or fever.
The association between Reye’s syndrome and aspirin was first reported in a pilot study by the PHS. The investigators reported a significant relationship between aspirin use and Reye’s syndrome, a relative risk of 11.5 percent. The study did not differentiate between aspirin and other salicylates. However, the agency’s review of epidemiologic studies indicated that the risk was not due to nonaspirin salicylates.
The association between Reye’s and aspirin was later regarded as an adverse effect of aspirin, leading to recommendations against its use in children under the age of sixteen. In 1999, the Commission on Safety of Medicines made a statement advising against aspirin for febrile illness in this age group. This statement was amended to include the age group 12 to 17 as well. This advice, however, did not include products that are intended to mask early symptoms of Reye’s syndrome, such as topical ointments or topical sprays.
Although the cause of Reye’s syndrome remains unclear, public awareness of the association with aspirin has helped to minimize the number of cases. As of November 1997, the incidence of Reye’s syndrome in the United States was 36 cases per year, compared to a peak of about 60 cases in 1990. During the period of this study, the occurrence of Reye’s syndrome decreased by approximately 40 percent, which was attributed to the public’s increasing awareness of the association between the disease and aspirin.
Aspirin is a commonly used drug, and a recent study found that acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) may have an additional effect on nitric oxide synthesis, which could help to explain the effects of aspirin on Reye’s. In this study, patients who were administered aspirin had an increased level of nitric oxide synthesis.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of Reye Syndrome include an increase in brain swelling, accompanied by disturbances in mental status. This condition is often associated with a viral infection. However, it can occur with a variety of other illnesses.
Children with Reye’s syndrome have a much higher chance of survival if they are diagnosed and treated early. If left untreated, the disease can progress to a severe form that may be difficult to treat. The severity of the disorder will vary from child to child.
Reye’s Syndrome is usually diagnosed after a full medical history is reviewed. The condition is most common among young children and adolescents who have been infected with a viral infection. In addition, some children may have an inherited metabolic disorder that is a cause of the disease. Aspirin, a drug that is commonly used to treat viral infections, can also trigger the disease.
Intensive care is necessary for patients with Reye’s Syndrome because brain swelling can be extremely dangerous. The goal of intensive care is to quickly reduce brain swelling and prevent permanent brain damage. While in the hospital, the doctor will monitor the child for other neurological and metabolic conditions. This includes monitoring vital body functions such as heart rate, temperature, pulse, and air flow to the lungs. If a patient requires breathing assistance, a ventilator is used.
The symptoms of Reye’s Syndrome are caused by increased intracranial pressure, which results from the accumulation of toxic chemicals in the blood. Depending on the severity of the illness, some children will die. Others may develop a permanent brain dysfunction. In addition, some patients will experience intellectual disability. A diagnosis of Reye’s Syndrome should be suspected in infants, but the true incidence of the disease may not be known because there is no government-mandated reporting of cases.
Reye’s Syndrome can be detected by specialized laboratory tests. One test that can be used to confirm the diagnosis is a liver enzyme, called alanine aminotransferase (ALT). ALT levels should be elevated in Reye’s Syndrome. The liver is one of the main organs affected by the disease, so doctors may prescribe medications to lower the serum ammonia level.
Another feature of Reye’s Syndrome is a fatty infiltration of the liver. This abnormal infiltration is accompanied by other liver-related symptoms. The liver is responsible for providing energy to cells and is particularly important for the function of mitochondria. If the liver fails, it can lead to a buildup of dangerous toxins in the blood. Toxic chemicals can also cause swelling of the brain. The disease can be very serious, and the patient may require hemodialysis or other treatment.
In the United Kingdom, 597 cases of Reye’s Syndrome were reported between 1981 and 1996. There were 355 deaths among these children. The fatality rate for children under five years of age was significantly higher than the rate for older children. The overall fatality rate was 31.3 percent.
Treatment
Symptoms of Reye Syndrome may appear in children following a viral illness, such as chicken pox or influenza. The disease is associated with a rapid increase in blood ammonia, and it is possible for the patient to become unresponsive and lose consciousness. If not diagnosed and treated, Reye Syndrome can be life-threatening. A diagnosis should be made by a physician or nurse who has experience treating the disease. Ideally, the patient should be transferred to a children’s hospital.
Treatment of Reye Syndrome usually starts within a few hours of the child’s first symptoms, but some children can have symptoms without developing the disease. There is a good prognosis for patients with mild cases. However, severe cases can be fatal. For these patients, treatment includes a multifaceted approach that focuses on treating the cause of the disorder. This approach can help improve the chances of complete recovery.
The primary goal of Reye Syndrome treatment is to prevent further complications. Treatment methods may include tight control of fluid balance, minimizing ammonia levels, and therapy for coagulopathy. For coagulopathy, fresh frozen plasma or vitamin K can be administered. Diuretics can also be used to reduce the swelling in the brain and increase fluid loss. Other treatment measures include continuous ECG monitoring and pulse oximetry. In addition, a breathing machine or respirator may be needed for some children.
Generally, a liver biopsy is performed in order to make a definitive diagnosis. This biopsy can be especially useful in children under 2 years old. The biopsy should reveal no signs of inflammation and there should be no sign of necrosis. The presence of abnormal accumulations of fat in the liver and other organs referred to as microvesicular steatosis is another indication of Reye Syndrome.
A coma, or a reduction of consciousness, is another common symptom of Reye Syndrome. This can occur during the first stage or later in the disease. A coma can lead to death, as the brain can swell and become compressed. To treat the coma, a breathing machine or respirator is usually needed. A child can remain in a coma for up to several hours or until death occurs. A child who remains in grade three or four comae for more than three days may develop serious neurological damage or even disability.
A patient with a Reye Syndrome diagnosis will be treated in an intensive care unit. This unit is equipped with specialized nurses and physicians who have a background in treating this condition. A child may need to undergo a series of quantitative psychological tests to determine whether the child has retained some mental capabilities, or whether there are cognitive problems. Some children with Reye Syndrome may develop behavioral changes or rapid neurological deterioration. These problems can result in severe intellectual disabilities or concept formation difficulties. A family member or other adult should monitor the child’s condition closely.
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