What do you usually do when your child has a fever, a cold, or an illness like chickenpox? Sometimes we think, "Oh... just give them a little aspirin." But did you know that giving aspirin at a time like that can be very dangerous for your child? Today we're talking about a less talked about, but very serious condition that causes it. That's Reye's Syndrome, or Reye's Syndrome .
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Simply put, what is Reye's Syndrome?
Reye's Syndrome is a rare but very serious illness that causes swelling of the liver and brain. It can affect anyone of any age, but is most common in children and young adults recovering from a viral infection such as the flu or chickenpox.
Research by doctors has found that the main risk factor for this is giving aspirin or other similar medications, that is, medications containing salicylates, to a child during a viral infection.
For this reason, doctors strongly recommend avoiding aspirin altogether for infants and young children who are recovering from viral infections.
Why does this situation occur?
Doctors still don't fully understand the exact cause of Reye's Syndrome, but they do know that some children are more likely to develop the condition if they are given aspirin during a viral infection.
In addition, some other children are at higher risk of developing this disease. These include:
- If they have a genetic disorder related to the process of breaking down fatty acids in the body (Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorder).
- If you have been exposed to any toxic chemicals such as paint thinners, insecticides, and weed killers.
When Reye's Syndrome occurs, the body's cells swell and fat begins to accumulate inside them. At the same time, the blood sugar level drops suddenly. Harmful substances such as ammonia and acidity increase in the blood. These changes can cause severe damage to the liver and especially the brain, because these organs swell severely.
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Check Availability →What are the symptoms? How do we recognize them?
Reye's Syndrome symptoms usually appear 3 to 5 days after the onset of a viral infection. These symptoms can vary slightly depending on age, so it's important to pay close attention to this.
Let's look at these characteristics in a table for easy understanding.
| Occasion / Age Group | Symptoms that are seen |
|---|---|
| Early Symptoms | |
| Children under 2 years old | Diarrhea and rapid breathing |
| Young children and teenagers | Ongoing vomiting and unusual sleepiness |
| Severe Symptoms | |
| Behavioral changes | Sudden irritability, aggression, and anger. |
| Mental state | Confusion, seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations). |
| Physical changes | Weakness or numbness in the limbs, seizures , loss of consciousness. |
This is an emergency! If you notice any of these severe symptoms, such as a significant change in behavior, seizures, or loss of consciousness, take your child to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) without delay . This can be life-threatening, so prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential.
Sometimes these symptoms can be confused with meningitis, a diabetic reaction, or poisoning. If you suspect a toxic substance (e.g. herbicide), immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
How does the doctor diagnose this disease exactly?
There is no single test specific to Reye's Syndrome, so doctors usually take a careful look at the symptoms and history and run several tests to rule out other conditions.
Among them:
- Blood and urine tests: These check things like liver function, blood sugar, and ammonia levels.
- Screening for fatty acid metabolism disorders: Special blood tests are done for this.
- Spinal Tap / Lumbar Puncture: This test is done to measure pressure in the brain and spinal cord and to check for infection.
- Liver Biopsy: This helps to determine the exact extent of damage to liver cells.
- CT or MRI scans: These can look at the swelling in the brain and find out if there are other problems.
Is there a treatment for this?
There is no specific treatment that can completely stop Reye's Syndrome. However, doctors can manage the condition by admitting the patient to the hospital, preventing severe symptoms, and especially controlling brain swelling. Here are some things to do:
- Intravenous (IV) fluids and nutrition.
- Diuretics are medications that remove excess water and salts from the body and reduce swelling.
- Medications to prevent bleeding.
- If a condition such as bleeding from the liver occurs, vitamin K, plasma, and platelets are given to help the blood clot.
What could be the long-term effects?
The good news is that with advances in medical science, the disease can now be diagnosed much earlier, and the mortality rate has dropped from 50% to less than 20%. This means that most children and young adults who contract the disease make a full recovery.
How well someone recovers and the risk of long-term brain damage depends on how much the brain has swollen . The risk of brain damage is higher when symptoms become severe quickly, leading to a coma.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Never give aspirin to children and young people when they have a viral infection such as the flu, cold, or chickenpox.
- Before giving your child any medicine, check to see if it contains aspirin or salicylates. If in doubt, be sure to ask your doctor .
- If your child shows symptoms such as persistent vomiting, excessive sleepiness, and behavioral changes after a viral infection, don't ignore them.
- If you notice severe symptoms such as seizures or loss of consciousness, take your child to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. Prompt treatment can save lives and minimize long-term damage.
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