pediatrics
Reye Syndrome
Symptoms and Signs of Reye Syndrome
The disease varies greatly in severity but is characteristically biphasic. Initial viral symptoms (upper respiratory infection or sometimes chickenpox) are followed in 5 to 7 days by pernicious nausea and vomiting and a sudden change in mental status. The changes in mental status may vary from a mild amnesia, weakness, vision and hearing changes, and lethargy to intermittent episodes of disorientation and agitation, which can progress rapidly to deepening stages of coma manifested by Progressive unresponsiveness Decorticate and decerebrate posturing Seizures Flaccidity Fixed dilated pupils Respiratory arrest Focal neurologic findings usually are not present. Hepatomegaly occurs in about 40% of cases, but jaundice is absent. Complications include Dehydration in Children None Increased intracranial pressure ArginineVasopressin Deficiency (Central Diabetes Insipidus) None Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) None Hypotension Overview of Arrhythmias None Bleeding diatheses (especially gastrointestinal) Overview of Pancreatitis None Respiratory insufficiency Hyperammonemia Aspiration Pneumonitis and Pneumonia None Poor temperature regulation Uncal herniation and death 