By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
HealthConsiderHealthConsiderHealthConsider
  • Home
  • Diseases
    DiseasesShow More
    Harmful Effects of Prolonged Bed Rest in Cardiovascular Disease
    By admin
    Post-Bronchitis Recovery: Comprehensive Patient Guidance
    By admin
    Lymphoma Clinical Manifestations and Initial Evaluation
    By admin
    Lymphoma: Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Mechanistic Insights
    By admin
    Skin Cancer Clinical Signs
    By admin
  • Healthcare
  • Nutrition & Diet
    Nutrition & Diet
    Information and articles help people lead a balanced diet that meets healthy requirements.
    Show More
    Top News
    Latest News
  • Fitness
    FitnessShow More
    Why Cycling Supports Weight Loss and Better Body Composition
    By admin
    Cycling Can Help Lower Blood Lipids in Hyperlipidemia
    By admin
    Common Misconceptions about Physical Exercise and Weight Control
    By admin
    Challenges of Exercise for Weight Loss
    By admin
    High‑Intensity Interval Training for Weight Loss
    By admin
  • Healthy Life
    • Reproductive Health
  • Mental Health
    Mental Health
    Information and guidelines for people to handle mental problems and manage stress in daily life.
    Show More
    Top News
    Managing Stress for a Healthy Lifestyle
    September 16, 2025
    The Concept of Mental Health
    September 28, 2025
    Standards of Mental Health
    September 28, 2025
    Latest News
    Relax Through Aerobic Exercise
    September 27, 2025
    Relieve Stress in Healthy Ways
    September 27, 2025
    Standards of Mental Health
    September 28, 2025
    The Concept of Mental Health
    September 28, 2025
  • News
    NewsShow More
    MRI Examination Techniques: Core Methods and Functional Extensions
    By admin
    MRI Advantages, Safety Considerations, and Patient Preparation
    By admin
    Normal CT Anatomy of the Spinal Canal, Intervertebral Discs, and Spinal Cord
    By admin
    Spiral (Helical) CT: Principles, Performance Advantages, and Limitations
    By admin
    Evolution of Computed Tomography (CT)
    By admin
  • Child Health
Font ResizerAa
HealthConsiderHealthConsider
Font ResizerAa
  • Nutrition & Diet
  • Diseases
  • Healthy Life
  • Mental Health
  • News
  • Fitness
  • Categories
    • Mental Health
    • Healthy Life
    • Nutrition & Diet
    • Diseases
    • News
    • Fitness
  • More Foxiz
    • Blog Index
    • Sitemap
Follow US
HealthConsider > Blog > Healthcare > Reye Syndrome (Encephalopathy and Fatty Liver Syndrome)
Healthcare

Reye Syndrome (Encephalopathy and Fatty Liver Syndrome)

Last updated: October 5, 2025 12:48 am
By admin
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

Key Points

  • Acute, potentially fatal encephalopathy with hepatic steatosis in children, often following viral infection.
  • Strong association with aspirin use during influenza or varicella infections.
  • Characterized by vomiting, altered mental status, hypoglycemia, hyperammonemia, and elevated liver enzymes.
  • Management is supportive: reduce intracranial pressure, correct metabolic disturbances, and avoid aspirin.
  • Prevention through public health education on avoiding aspirin in pediatric viral illnesses.

Introduction

Reye syndrome, first described by Douglas Reye in 1963, is a rare but serious condition that primarily affects children and adolescents. It is characterized by acute encephalopathy and hepatic dysfunction with microvesicular fatty infiltration of the liver and other organs. Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, mitochondrial injury triggered by toxins—particularly aspirin metabolites—in the setting of viral infection is central to its pathogenesis.

Contents
  • Prodromal Phase (1–3 days)
  • Encephalopathic Phase
  • Hepatic Dysfunction

Epidemiology

  • Incidence: Approximately 0.3–1.0 cases per 100,000 children annually in developed countries; much lower since aspirin avoidance campaigns.
  • Age group: Predominantly affects children aged 4–12 years.
  • Risk factors: Recent influenza B or varicella infection; exposure to aspirin or salicylates.

Pathophysiology

  1. Viral infection (e.g., influenza B, varicella) predisposes to mitochondrial dysfunction.
  2. Exposure to aspirin or other hepatotoxic agents leads to impairment of fatty acid β-oxidation in mitochondria.
  3. Accumulation of microvesicular fat in hepatocytes and multiorgan tissues.
  4. Hepatic failure and metabolic disturbances (hypoglycemia, hyperammonemia).
  5. Cerebral edema due to toxic metabolites and ammonia crosses blood-brain barrier, causing encephalopathy.

Clinical Presentation

Prodromal Phase (1–3 days)

  • Fever, upper respiratory or varicella symptoms (cough, rash).
  • Anorexia and persistent vomiting.

Encephalopathic Phase

  • Rapid onset of irritability, confusion, and delirium.
  • Progression to lethargy, seizures, and coma.
  • Neurologic signs: hyperreflexia, decorticate posturing, seizures.

Hepatic Dysfunction

  • Laboratory findings:
  • Elevated transaminases (AST, ALT).
  • Serum ammonia ↑.
  • Prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).
  • Hypoglycemia.

Diagnostic Evaluation

  • Laboratory tests:
  • Serum ammonia, LFTs, coagulation profile, blood glucose, electrolytes.
  • Neuroimaging:
  • CT/MRI to assess cerebral edema (limited use in unstable patients).
  • Liver biopsy rarely indicated; shows microvesicular steatosis without significant inflammation.

Differential Diagnosis

  • Viral or bacterial encephalitis.
  • Acute fulminant hepatic failure (Wilson disease, drug-induced liver injury).
  • Metabolic disorders (e.g., urea cycle defects, organic acidemias).
  • Toxic ingestions (acetaminophen, valproate).

Management

  1. Admit to ICU for close monitoring and supportive care.
  2. Control intracranial pressure:
  3. Head elevation, hyperventilation, osmotic diuretics (mannitol or hypertonic saline).
  4. Correct metabolic derangements:
  5. IV dextrose to prevent hypoglycemia.
  6. Sodium benzoate or sodium phenylacetate for hyperammonemia.
  7. Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
  8. Seizure control with benzodiazepines or barbiturates.
  9. Avoid salicylates and other mitochondrial toxins.

Nursing Considerations

  • Hourly neurologic assessments (Glasgow Coma Scale, pupil checks).
  • Monitor vital signs and intracranial pressure if available.
  • Frequent blood glucose and ammonia level checks.
  • Ensure adequate IV access and fluid management.
  • Protect airway; prepare for intubation if decreased consciousness.
  • Educate family about the importance of aspirin avoidance.

Prognosis

  • Mortality rate historically 20–40%, with higher risk in delayed diagnosis.
  • Up to 30–50% of survivors may experience long-term neurological sequelae (cognitive impairment, motor deficits).

Patient Education and Prevention

  • Avoid aspirin and salicylate-containing medications in children and adolescents with viral illness.
  • Use alternative antipyretics: acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
  • Seek medical attention for persistent vomiting or altered mental status.

References

  1. Reye RD, Morgan G, Baral J. Encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the viscera; report of 15 cases. Pediatrics. 1963;32:5–29.
  2. Horn PS, Moore CA, Gabel RA, Klein JP, Salzman GC. Reye syndrome in the United States from 1981 through 1997. Pediatrics. 2001;108(3):610–615.
  3. Whitington PF. Pediatric acute liver failure: Etiologies, outcomes, and management strategies. Clin Liver Dis. 2018;22(4):769–786.

The information provided on HealthConsider.com is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print

Fast Four Quiz: Precision Medicine in Cancer

How much do you know about precision medicine in cancer? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz.
Get Started
Toxic Side Effects of Cancer Immunotherapy (Immune-Related Adverse Events, irAEs)

Toxic Side Effects of Cancer Immunotherapy (Immune-Related Adverse Events, irAEs) 1. Overview…

Curative-Intent (Radical) Systemic Therapy in Oncology

Curative-Intent (Radical) Systemic Therapy in Oncology 1. Definition & Therapeutic Objective Curative‑intent…

Post-Bronchitis Recovery: Comprehensive Patient Guidance

Post-Bronchitis Recovery: Comprehensive Patient Guidance Purpose After an acute episode of bronchitis…

Your one-stop resource for medical news and education.

Your one-stop resource for medical news and education.
Sign Up for Free

You Might Also Like

Healthcare

Constipation — Evidence‑Based Nutrition, Habits, and Safe Relief

By admin
Healthcare

Preventing Meningitis — Key Strategies and Guidelines

By admin
Healthcare

Cervical Spondylosis: Clinical Perspectives and Management

By admin
Healthcare

Salmonella Infections — Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention (Food Poisoning vs. Typhoid)

By admin
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Youtube Instagram
Company
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contact US
  • Feedback
  • Advertisement
More Info
  • Newsletter
  • Diseases
  • News
  • Nutrition & Diet
  • Mental Health
  • Fitness
  • Healthy Life

Sign Up For Free

Subscribe to our newsletter and don't miss out on our programs, webinars and trainings.

Join Community
Made by ThemeRuby using the Foxiz theme. Powered by WordPress
The information provided on this website is for general informational and educational purposes only.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contact US
  • Feedback
  • Advertisement
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?