Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Gasser Syndrome
HUS

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a very rare disorder that primarily affects young children between the ages of one and 10 years, particularly those under the age of four years. In many cases, the onset of HUS is preceded by a flu-like illness (gastroenteritis) characterized by vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea, which, in some cases, may be bloody. Symptoms of Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome usually become apparent three to 10 days after the development of gastroenteritis and may include sudden paleness (pallor), irritability, weakness, lack of energy (lethargy), and/or excretion of abnormally diminished amounts of urine (oliguria). The disease typically progresses to include inability of the kidneys to process waste products from the blood and excrete them into the urine (acute renal failure); a decrease in circulating red blood cells (microangiopathic hemolytic anemia); a decrease in circulating blood platelets, which assist in blood clotting functions (thrombocytopenia); and the abnormal accumulation of platelets within certain blood vessels (microthrombi), reducing the blood flow to several organs (e.g., kidneys, pancreas, brain) potentially leading to multiple organ dysfunction or failure. In some cases, neurological problems may be present at the onset of Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome or may occur at any time during the disorder's progression. Neurological symptoms may include dizziness, seizures (partial or generalized), disorientation or confusion, and/or loss of consciousness (coma). The onset of Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome is most frequently associated with infection by a particular strain (O157:H7) of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterium. Occasionally, adults may be affected by Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome.
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Resources

American Kidney Fund, Inc.
6110 Executive Boulevard
Suite 1010
Rockville, MD 20852
USA
Tel: 3018813052
Fax: 3018810898
Tel: 8006388299
Email: helpline@kindeyfund.org
Internet: http://www.kidneyfund.org

National Kidney Foundation
30 East 33rd Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212)889-2210
Fax: (212)689-9261
Tel: (800)622-9010
Email: info@kidney.org
Internet: http://www.kidney.org

NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
6610 Rockledge Drive
MSC 6612
Bethesda, MD 20892-6612
Tel: (301)496-5717
Fax: (301)402-3573
TDD: (800)877-8339
Internet: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

NIH/National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Endocrine Diseases Metabolic Diseases Branch
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
Tel: (301)654-3810
Fax: (301)496-7422
Email: NDDIC@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niddk.nih.gov

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO)
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
525 23rd Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
Tel: (202)974-3000
Fax: (202)974-3663
Email: postmaster@paho.org
Internet: http://www.who.ch/

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 8/17/2000
Copyright 1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: August 17, 2000

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