Reye’s syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal disease which affects infants, children and adolescents. This acute illness may occur during the period of recovery after a viral illness like influenza, chicken-pox, rubella, diarrhea Herpes simplex and echovirus. The main features of the illness include swelling of the brain and a form of live inflammation or hepatitis. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy and drowsiness, delirium, stupor, coma and irritable, aggressive behavior. Recent studies have shown that your child is at increased risk if he or she has been treated with preparations containing aspirin, salicylates and/or salicylamides during a viral illness, especially during the time when a fever is present. Most cases of Reye’s syndrome occur in the five to ten year age group. Children of both sexes are affected.

How Is Aspirin Implicated In Reye’s Syndrome?

Although the exact cause of Reye’s Syndrome is unknown, several studies suggest that the use of aspirin or aspirin containing products during a viral illness could cause the condition. Such studies do not indicate that aspirin itself causes the syndrome but that it is an aggravating factor when used during a feverish, viral illness.

Because of this link, since 1986 aspirin containing preparations have been labeled with warnings about Reye’s Syndrome. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency requires a warning on all products containing aspirin that children under the age of sixteen should avoid its use unless advised to do so by their doctor.

Other chemicals have also been implicated including insecticides and emulsifiers, but the evidence for these remains controversial.

What Is Happening In My Child’s Body?

The liver and other organs are affected by abnormal accumulations of fat and the brain swells. This may result in possible brain injury with long term effects on your child’s health and development. If the illness is not recognized and treated in time, serious complications or even death may occur.

What Symptoms Should You Look For In Your Child?

Your child may experience forceful vomiting that lasts for hours and becomes worse with time. He or she may complain of a severe headache. Your child’s behavior may change and he may seem to be in a stupor, with a staring appearance. His breathing may become rapid and he may hyperventilate. Drowsiness may occur as well as memory loss, disorientation and hallucinations. Fever is usually not present. In infants the symptoms of Reye’s syndrome may not follow a typical pattern; for example vomiting is less common.

Your child may not have all of these symptoms, however the existence of even one of these is an indication for urgent medical intervention. If your child shows this pattern of symptoms a few days after the onset of viral illness such as ‘flu’ or chicken-pox he needs to be seen by a medical professional immediately.

What Is The Treatment For Reye’s Syndrome?

Reye’s Syndrome is a medical emergency. Urgent and immediate steps must be taken to reduce the swelling of the brain that has occurred and to prevent liver damage. The sooner this treatment can be provided, the higher the chance of survival or avoidance of serious complications. The chance of survival and full recovery are greatly increased if immediate treatment is given.

It is important to note that many diseases have similar features to that of Reye’s syndrome and medical staff that do not have experience of the disease could at first, suspect encephalitis, meningitis, poisoning, mental illness or even drug abuse.

Possible Complications

In general the survival rate is related to the severity of the brain swelling. Many children make a full recovery while others may sustain slight to severe permanent brain damage. Once the immediate problems have been dealt with your child will need a follow up developmental assessment.

Because of the possibility of Reye’s Syndrome, you should never give your child aspirin as a remedy for pain and fever. If your child needs pain relief or has a fever use paracetamol in the appropriate dosage and form for children. If you suspect that your child may be showing symptoms of Reye’s Syndrome make sure you consult a doctor or hospital immediately.