Skip to main content
The Western Journal of Medicine logoLink to The Western Journal of Medicine
. 1984 Aug;141(2):206–209.

Reye's Syndrome

Doris A Trauner
PMCID: PMC1021738  PMID: 6495727

Abstract

Reye's syndrome (encephalopathy with fatty infiltration of the viscera) is an acute illness of childhood that produces hepatic dysfunction and metabolic encephalopathy. The disease is fatal in as many as 40% of cases. The cause is unknown. Several environmental agents, particularly salicylates and aflatoxin, have been implicated as possible toxins in this disorder. Treatment is directed at controlling intracranial pressure, reversing metabolic abnormalities and providing intensive supportive care. Normal neurologic function returns in most survivors.

Full text

PDF
206

Images in this article

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. BRODY T. M. Action of sodium salicylate and related compounds on tissue metabolism in vitro. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1956 May;117(1):39–51. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bourgeois C., Olson L., Comer D., Evans H., Keschamras N., Cotton R., Grossman R., Smith T. Encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the viscera: a clinicopathologic analysis of 40 cases. Am J Clin Pathol. 1971 Nov;56(5):558–571. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/56.5.558. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Bove K. E., McAdams A. J., Partin J. C., Partin J. S., Hug G., Schubert W. K. The hepatic lesion in Reye's syndrome. Gastroenterology. 1975 Sep;69(3):685–697. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Brunner R. L., O'Grady D. J., Partin J. C., Partin J. S., Schubert W. K. Neuropsychologic consequences of Reye syndrome. J Pediatr. 1979 Nov;95(5 Pt 1):706–711. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(79)80715-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Corey L., Rubin R. J., Bregman D., Gregg M. B. Diagnostic criteria for influenza B-associated Reye's syndrome: clinical vs. pathologic criteria. Pediatrics. 1977 Nov;60(5):702–708. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Crocker J. F., Rozee K. R., Ozere R. L., Digout S. C., Hutzinger O. Insecticide and viral interaction as a cause of fatty visceral changes and encephalopathy in the mouse. Lancet. 1974 Jul 6;2(7871):22–24. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)91351-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Glasgow A. M., Chase H. P. Production of the features of Reye's syndrome in rats with 4-pentenoic acid. Pediatr Res. 1975 Mar;9(3):133–138. doi: 10.1203/00006450-197503000-00005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. HILL K. R., BRAS G., CLEARKIN K. P. Acute toxic hypoglycaemia occurring in the vomiting sickness of Jamaica; morbid anatomical aspects. West Indian Med J. 1955 Jun;4(2):91–104. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Huttenlocher P. R., Schwartz A. D., Klatskin G. Reye's syndrome: ammonia intoxication as a possible factor in the encephalopathy. Pediatrics. 1969 Mar;43(3):443–454. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Huttenlocher P. R., Trauner D. A. Reye's syndrome in infancy. Pediatrics. 1978 Jul;62(1):84–90. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Lichtenstein P. K., Heubi J. E., Daugherty C. C., Farrell M. K., Sokol R. J., Rothbaum R. J., Suchy F. J., Balistreri W. F. Grade I Reye's syndrome. A frequent cause of vomiting and liver dysfunction after varicella and upper-respiratory-tract infection. N Engl J Med. 1983 Jul 21;309(3):133–139. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198307213090302. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Linnemann C. C., Jr, Shea L., Partin J. C., Schubert W. K., Schiff G. M. Reye's syndrome: epidemiologic and viral studies, 1963-1974. Am J Epidemiol. 1975 Jun;101(6):517–526. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112123. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. MORTIMER E. A., Jr, LEPOW M. L. Varicella with hypoglycemia possibly due to salicylates. Am J Dis Child. 1962 Apr;103:583–590. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.1962.02080020596008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Marshall L. F., Shapiro H. M., Rauscher A., Kaufman N. M. Pentobarbital therapy for intracranial hypertension in metabolic coma. Reye's syndrome. Crit Care Med. 1978 Jan-Feb;6(1):1–5. doi: 10.1097/00003246-197801000-00001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Nelson D. B., Kimbrough R., Landrigan P. S., Hayes A. W., Yang G. C., Benanides J. Aflatoxin and Reye's syndrome: a case control study. Pediatrics. 1980 Dec;66(6):865–869. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Partin J. C., Schubert W. K., Partin J. S. Mitochondrial ultrastructure in Reye's syndrome (encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the viscera). N Engl J Med. 1971 Dec 9;285(24):1339–1343. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197112092852402. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. REYE R. D., MORGAN G., BARAL J. ENCEPHALOPATHY AND FATTY DEGENERATION OF THE VISCERA. A DISEASE ENTITY IN CHILDHOOD. Lancet. 1963 Oct 12;2(7311):749–752. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(63)90554-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Romshe C. A., Hilty M. D., McClung H. J., Kerzner B., Reiner C. B. Amino acid pattern in Reye syndrome: comparison with clinically similar entities. J Pediatr. 1981 May;98(5):788–790. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(81)80849-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Ryan N. J., Hogan G. R., Hayes A. W., Unger P. D., Siraj M. Y. Aflatoxin B1; its role in the etiology of Reye's syndrome. Pediatrics. 1979 Jul;64(1):71–75. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Shannon D. C., De Long R., Bercu B., Glick T., Herrin J. T., Moylan F. M., Todres I. D. Studies on the pathophysiology of encephalopathy in Reye's syndrome; Hyperammonemia in Reye's syndrome. Pediatrics. 1975 Dec;56(6):999–1004. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Shaywitz B. A., Leventhal J. M., Kramer M. S., Venes J. L. Prolonged continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure in severe Reye's syndrome. Pediatrics. 1977 Apr;59(4):595–605. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Starko K. M., Ray C. G., Dominguez L. B., Stromberg W. L., Woodall D. F. Reye's syndrome and salicylate use. Pediatrics. 1980 Dec;66(6):859–864. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Thaler M. M. Metabolic mechanisms in Reye syndrome. End of a Mystery? Am J Dis Child. 1976 Mar;130(3):241–243. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.1976.02120040019004. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Trauner D. A., Brown F., Ganz E., Huttenlocher P. R. Treatment of elevated intracranial pressure in Reye syndrome. Ann Neurol. 1978 Sep;4(3):275–278. doi: 10.1002/ana.410040315. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Trauner D. A., Huttenlocher P. R. Short chain fatty acid-induced central hyperventilation in rabbits. Neurology. 1978 Sep;28(9 Pt 1):940–944. doi: 10.1212/wnl.28.9.940. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Trauner D. A., Nyhan W. L., Sweetman L. Short-chain organic acidemia and Reye's syndrome. Neurology. 1975 Mar;25(3):296–298. doi: 10.1212/wnl.25.3.296. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Trauner D. A. Pathologic changes in a rabbit model of Reye's syndrome. Pediatr Res. 1982 Nov;16(11):950–953. doi: 10.1203/00006450-198211000-00010. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Trauner D. A. Treatment of Reye syndrome. Ann Neurol. 1980 Jan;7(1):2–4. doi: 10.1002/ana.410070103. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Waldman R. J., Hall W. N., McGee H., Van Amburg G. Aspirin as a risk factor in Reye's syndrome. JAMA. 1982 Jun 11;247(22):3089–3094. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Zieve F. J., Zieve L., Doizaki W. M., Gilsdorf R. B. Synergism between ammonia and fatty acids in the production of coma: implications for hepatic coma. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1974 Oct;191(1):10–16. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Western Journal of Medicine are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES