In this Article

• What is a "syndrome?"
• What is hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)?
• What causes hemolytic uremic syndrome?
• What are the signs and symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome?
• How is hemolytic uremic syndrome diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for hemolytic uremic syndrome?
• What is the outcome of hemolytic uremic syndrome?
• How can hemolytic uremic syndrome be prevented?
• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Glossary
• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Index

What causes hemolytic uremic syndrome?

While the cause of HUS has not been established with certainty, researchers believe that an abnormal inflammation reaction is stimulated in the blood stream causing platelets (the parts of the blood that form clots) to sludge in small blood vessels and form blood clots where they are not supposed to. This uses up the platelets and causes a shortage of them in the rest of the body. This abnormal reaction may be caused by a yet unidentified chemical that is produced in blood plasma (the fluid or non-cellular part of the bloodstream).

The triggering events for HUS are varied and include:

• Enterohemorrhagic E. Coli is a type of bacteria that causes bloody diarrhea. E. coli is a very common type of bacteria in the body, and it is only the OH157:H7 type that causes the problem. It can be found in undercooked meat and other foods; and is one of the causes of food recalls and restaurant-related food poisoning outbreaks. This accounts for almost 90% of HUS in children.
  
  
• Pregnancy and the early postpartum (after delivery) time period and the use of birth control pills are the more common associations with HUS
  
  
• Pneumonia caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria is another possible precipitating factor. HUS is an unusual complication of this common infection. Most often, this pneumonia is treated with antibiotics as an outpatient.
  
  
• Medications may be also associated with HUS, including some chemotherapy and immunosuppression drugs, birth control pills, ticlopidine (Ticlid) and quinine [(Quinerva, Quinite) an anti-platelet drug].
  
  
• AIDS may be associated with HUS.

Furthermore, there is an inherited type of HUS due to a gene mutation that affects the blood clotting mechanism.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• ticlopidine, Ticlid - Information on ticlopidine (Ticlid) a drug prescribed for the prevention of strokes or TIAs (mini-strokes) to prevent blood clots in stents placed in the heart. Off label uses are included in the information.
• Electrolytes - Read about blood electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicorbonate) and the effects of electrolyte imbalances like kidney failure, low blood pressure, hypokalemia, and hyperkalemia.
• Pneumonia - Learn pneumonia symptoms, causes, treatment, signs, diagnosis and types: viral and bacterial (Pneumocystis carinii, Klebsiella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae).

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