REYE'S SYNDROME

is a disorder principally affecting the

liver and brain, marked by rapid
development of life-threatening
neurologic symptoms.
Is an emergency illness chiefly
affecting children and teenagers. It
almost always follows a viral illness.
Causes:
- the precise mechanism of this disorder is
unknown.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Stage I
- persistent, heavy vomiting
- generalized lethargy
- general mental symptoms
- nightmares
- Stage I
- stupor
- hyperventilation
- fatty liver
- Stage I I
- continuation of Stages I & I
- possible coma
- possible cerebral edema
-rarely, respiratory arrest
- Stage IV
- deepening coma
- large pupils
-minimal but stil present hepatic dysfunction
- Stage V
- very rspid onset following stage IV
- deep coma
- seizures
- respiratory failure
- flaccidity
- extremely high blood
Diagnostic Tests:
- Spinal Tap, can help the doctor identify or rule out other diseases with similar
s/s such as infection of the lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord(
meningitis) or inflammation or infection of the brain( encephalitis).
- Liver biopsy, can help the doctor identify other conditions that may be affecting
the liver.
- CT scan and MRI, can help the doctor identify other causes of behavior changes
or decreased alertness.
- Liver biopsy, can help the doctor identify other conditions that may be affecting
the liver.
- CT scan and MRI, can help the doctor identify other causes of behavior changes
or decreased alertness.
Nursing and Medical Managements:
- intravenous fluids
- insulin
- corticosteroids
- diuretics
Complication:
- permanent brain damage