Definition:
Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a condition affecting infants and children, characterized by low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), acute renal failure, and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia.
Diagnosis:
Physical exams will reveal an enlarged spleen or liver. The nervous system may be also affected, producing abnormal results neurological exams.
Other diagnostic procedures include complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry exam, urinalysis, kidney biopsy, and stool culture.
Treatment:
Dialysis is a common choice for treatment of HUS; treatment is focused on easing symptoms and preventing further complications. Intravenous transfusion of red blood cells is needed in extreme cases.
In rare cases, the condition progresses and results in kidney failure, resulting in long term need of dialysis treatment.
HUS and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) may be difficult to distinguish from each other in most cases, and during these occasions plasmapheresis is used as treatment.
Symptoms and Signs:
A strain of E.coli, called E.coli 0157:H7, causes bloody diarrhea in children. This is usually the first onset of HUS. This leads to acute renal failure, resulting in a decrease of thrombocytes and red blood cells.
Other symptoms include red urine, less urine output, high blood pressure, swelling of the body, hands, and feet, swollen limbs, easy bruising or bleeding, and extreme fatigue.
Causes:
Infection in the digestive system of the E.coli strain is the primary cause of HUS.
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