Reye Syndrome
| Overview |
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- Reye Syndrome is a rare pediatric syndrome characterized by development of fatty liver and hepatic encephalopathy.
| Pathogenesis |
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- Reye syndrome is extremely rare but is reported to occur in children a few days to weeks following an acute viral infection during which aspirin has been administered. The correlation of pathology with viral infection and aspirin use has led to the contra-indication of administering Aspirin to children in the context of an acute illness which may be viral in origin.
| Morphology |
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- The liver displays microvesicular steatosis. Some cerebral edema may occur in the brain.
| Clinical Consequences |
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- Rapid hepatic failure with hyperbilirubinemia and elevated serum aminotransferases. Encephalopathy resulting in rapid neurological deterioration.