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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffHemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a condition that results from the abnormal premature destruction of red blood cells. Once this process begins, the damaged red blood cells start to clog the filtering system in the kidneys, which may eventually cause the life-threatening kidney failure associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Most cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome develop in children after several days of diarrhea — often bloody — due to infection with a certain strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Adults also may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome after an E. coli infection, but more often the cause is obscure or even unknown.
Though hemolytic uremic syndrome is a serious condition, getting timely and appropriate treatment leads to a full recovery for most people — especially young children.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome in children. National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/childkidneydiseases/hemolytic_uremic_syndrome/hemolyticuremic.pdf. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
- Piercefield EW, et al. Hemolytic uremic syndrome after an Escherichia coli O111 outbreak. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2010;170:1656.
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic-uremic syndrome. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec11/ch133/ch133g.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
- George JN. Causes of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
- Niaudet P. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Shiga-like toxin associated (typical) hemolytic uremic syndrome in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
- Noris M, et al. Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;361:1676.
- Foodborne illness: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/files/foodborne_illness_FAQ.pdf. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
- Elliott MM, et al. Interventions for haemolytic uraemic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (Review). Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews. 2009:CD003595.http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
- Scheiring J, et al. Today's understanding of the haemolytic uraemic syndrome. European Journal of Pediatrics. 2010;169:17.
- Nast CC, et al. Thrombotic microangiopathies. In: Lerma EV, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Nephrology & Hypertension. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6336929. Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.
- Pigott DC. Foodborne illness. Emergency Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;26:475.
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