Reye's syndrome developing in an infant on treatment of Kawasaki syndrome

• Published in: Journal of paediatrics and child health Vol. 41; no. 5‐6; pp. 303 - 304
• Main Authors: Wei, Chih‐Ming, Chen, Huey‐Ling, Lee, Ping‐Ing, Chen, Chong‐Ming, Ma, Chun‐Yi, Hwu, Wuh‐Liang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: PO Box 378 , Carlton South Victoria 3053 , Australia Blackwell Science Pty 01.05.2005; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects; Aspirin; Aspirin - administration & dosage; Aspirin - adverse effects; Babies; Drug therapy; Humans; Infant; Kawasaki syndrome; Male; Medical disorders; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome - complications; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome - drug therapy; Reye Syndrome - etiology; Reye Syndrome - physiopathology; Reye's syndrome; Taiwan; Taiwan
• ISSN: 1034-4810; 1440-1754
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2005.00617.x

:  Aspirin is commonly used as an anti‐inflammatory therapy for Kawasaki syndrome. Early initiation with high dose aspirin (80 to >100 mg/kg per day), followed by low‐dose therapy at the afebrile stage, has been often used to reduce morbidity and mortality in coronary complications. We report a 10‐month‐old infant who was diagnosed with Kawasaki syndrome. Sudden onset of poor activity, poor appetite, lethargy, tachycardia, tachypnea, hepatomegaly, increased AST/ALT, coagulopathy and hyperammonemia developed 3 days after the high‐dose aspirin therapy. His histopathological and ultrastructural findings from the liver biopsy were compatible with Reye's syndrome. He recovered completely, and there was no recurrence.