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Hemolytic-uremic syndrome

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

HUS

Treatment:

This is a serious illness in both children and adults, and it can cause death.

People with this condition receive transfusions of packed red cells and platelets as needed. Some people may need kidney dialysis . Doctors may prescribe medications such as corticosteroids.

Some people may have the liquid portion of their blood (plasma) treated with plasmapheresis or plasma exchange. The plasma is removed and replaced with fresh (donated) plasma or filtered to remove antibodies from the blood.

Expectations (prognosis):

More than half of people who get treatment will recover, and the outcome is better in children.

Complications:

• Chronic or relapsing HUS
• Acute kidney failure
• Chronic kidney failure
• Uremia (symptoms caused by the build-up of nitrogen-containing wastes in the body)
• Hemolytic anemia
• Thrombocytopenia (lack of enough platelets)
• Problems with blood coagulation
• Problems with the nervous system

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of HUS. If you have reduced consciousness, blood in the stool, or a lack of urination, it is an emergency situation.

Call your health care provider if you have had an episode of HUS, and your urine output decreases or you develop other new symptoms.

• Review Date: 4/27/2007
• Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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