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(Emergency Room Info) (After
Reye's Syndrome) (Reporting A Case)
Treatment of Reye's Syndrome
The treatment of Reye's syndrome varies. Reye's Syndrome is an acute, rapidly
progressive disease. It should be treated as a medical emergency, and time is of
the utmost importance. The chance of recovery is greatly increased when it is
treated in its earliest stages. To date there is no cure for the disease.
Successful management of the disease depends on early diagnosis. Therapy is
primarily directed to protect the brain against irreversible damage by reducing
the brain swelling.
| People with Reye's Syndrome require the services of an intensive care
unit and physicians and nurses experienced in the treatment of the
disease. A person with Reye's Syndrome should be transferred to a teaching
hospital or a children's hospital. If this is not possible, immediate phone consultation with a
teaching hospital or children's hospital. The majority of individuals with Reye's Syndrome are
children; however, cases have been reported in adults. |
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If Reye's Syndrome is suspected (ER Info), two liver function tests should be
done immediately:
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The results of these tests are commonly available within 2-3 hours. Abnormal
SGOT and SGPT strongly suggest a diagnosis of Reye's Syndrome. Immediate
further diagnostic testing will give a definite diagnosis.
In 1963 when Reye's Syndrome was discovered, the death rate was at 80%. In
1973, the mortality rate was estimated around 40%, and in 1983 it was lowered to
31%. In 1996, the mortality rate increased to 50%. It is believed that this
increase occurred due to misdiagnosis of Reye's Syndrome.
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Recovery is related to the severity of the brain swelling. Some people recover
completely. Others may sustain brain damage, extending from slight to severe
brain dysfunction. Those who progress rapidly through the stages and lapse into a coma have a poorer prognosis than those with a less severe
disease. All people surviving Reye's Syndrome should be evaluated using
quantitative psychological and neuropsychological tests.
 For those survivors with disabilities, please refer to resources including
Crippled Children's Services, State Developmental Disabilities Agencies, child
development clinics, local school systems, and health departments. Parents also
should familiarize themselves with Equal Opportunities for Individuals with
Disabilities Act, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title 42, Chapter
126, Sec. 12101-12213 available through public
libraries.
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