Diagnostic difficulties in establishing the cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome in children
Journal Title: Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu - Year 2016, Vol 22, Issue 1
Abstract
[b]Introduction. [/b]Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a complex of symptoms with heterogeneous etiology, constituting the most common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children below 4 years of age. Although there are simple diagnostic criteria, in clinical practice difficulties are observed, usually associated with the determination of HUS cause. [b]Material and methods. [/b]The study presents the course of diagnosis and treatment of three children with pre-established clinical diagnosis of HUS. The first patient was admitted to hospital at the age of 5 months, when he presented the “classic” HUS symptoms preceded by an episode of acute diarrhea. After successful treatment of the first episode, in the next 30 months, 6 relapses of the “active” phase of HUS were observed, combining the features of HUS and nephrotic syndrome. The introduction of prophylactic plasma infusions currently enables maintaining the boy in the remission phase. The second child was sent to hospital at the age of 3 months because of a triad of symptoms typical of HUS. The ultimate explanation for the observed abnormalities proved extensive retroperitoneal vascular malformation with secondary activation of intravascular coagulation. The third patient was a 2.5-year-old boy, who manifested mild symptoms of HUS. Family history was remarkable (the death of his brother because of extremely severe HUS of persistent, relapsing course). A complete remission of the symptoms was obtained by repeated plasma infusions treatment. [b]Conclusions. [/b]In the case of coexistence of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and AKI, it is necessary to take into account also the other causes than HUS. Differentiation of the mechanisms leading to the development of HUS translates into a wide range of treatment modalities in this group of patients. Properly selected therapies offer the opportunity for a quick remission free of severe complications.[b]Key words:[/b] hemolytic-uremic syndrome, child, acute kidney injury
Authors and Affiliations
Maria Szczepańska, Piotr Adamczyk, Elzbieta Trembecka-Dubel, Sylwia Sulik-Gajda, Dawid Nowak, Paulina Rączkowska, Katarzyna Lipiec
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP79537
- DOI 10.5604/20834543.1198728
- Views 150
- Downloads 0
Functional fitness of rural population aged over 70 and demand for care
Progressing age and the accompanying diseases have a detrimental impact on the condition of the elderly. Deterioration of one’s fitness causes physical discomfort and impairs mental well-being. It also constitutes a barr...
Family system and cancer – selected issues
The family is the fundamental unit of society, a system made up of components that together form a whole. The appearance of cancer in the family completely changes the life not only of the patient but also the whole syst...
Non-invasive imaging tests in cardiology
[b]Introduction.[/b] Non-invasive cardiac test is the safest, fast and relatively inexpensive opportunity to assess the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The popularity and the special appreciation for all the te...
Mass-media as a source of health knowledge
Nowadays, the mass-media constitute an integral part of human everyday life, and therefore are an important source of information concerning health. The objective of the study was an evaluation of the effect of mass-me...
Effect of changes in ambient temperature on oxidative stress markers in blood of regular winter swimmers
[b]Background.[/b] Winter swimming and sauna are supposed to beneficially affect the human organism, but there is still a lack of scientific evidence to confirm this phenomena. [b]Aim.[/b] The aim of the study was to...