Clinical Case Database / Category: Patient Management

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children

Publication details

Dr Michael O Ogundele MB, BS, MSc, DTCH, MRCPCH, Hani F Ayyash MB, BS, MSc, PhD, FRCPCH
Foundation Years Journal, volume 4, issue 10, p.34 (123Doc Education, London, January 2011)

Abstract

This case-based discussion is based on an 8-year-old girl who presented with haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) characterised by the triad of thrombocytopenia, micro-angiopathic hemolytic anaemia and acute renal failure, following a diarrhoeal illness caused by escherichia coli O157:H7. The case will highlight relevant aspects of clinical history, physical examination, laboratory investigations, pathophysiology, complications, prognosis, disease notification, management and follow-up of children presenting with HUS. The most common cause of HUS is systemic uptake of toxins in 5–10% of individuals infected by Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Other infective agents such as pneumococci and HIV, complement genetic abnormalities, medications, transplantation, malignancy or autoimmune diseases are responsible for 10% of cases of HUS, referred to as atypical or D-HUS.

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Authors

Dr Michael O Ogundele MB, BS, MSc, DTCH, MRCPCH

Dept of Community Paediatrics
Alder Hey Childrens' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Eaton Road
Liverpool L12 2AP
m.ogundele@nhs.net

Hani F Ayyash MB, BS, MSc, PhD, FRCPCH

Dept of Paediatrics
Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Foundation Trust
Doncaster DN2 5LT

References

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9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2008) Escherichia coli 0157:H7 infections in children associated with raw milk and raw colostrum from cows--California, 2006. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 57:625–628.
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T​he Foundation Years Clinical Cases Database is​ a selection of 600 peer-reviewed clinical cases in the field of patient safety and clinical practice, specifically focused on the clinical information needs of junior doctors, based around the Foundation Year Curriculum programme (MMC). The cases have been chosen to align with the Foundation Year Curriculum.

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