Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Can kidney failure develop as a result of an intestinal infection? Find out what hemolytic uremic syndrome is and why you shouldn’t delay its treatment.
Haemolytic uremic syndrome is a disease in which blood cells break down (haemolysis). Fragments of blood cells can block the lumen of the vessels and impair the function of individual organs (most often the kidneys). The disease most often appears in children under the age of 5. However, it can also occur in old age.
Typically, the syndrome appears from a few days to two weeks after an episode of diarrhea, often bloody diarrhea, caused by a bacterial infection (more precisely, with Escherichia coli toxins). It can also be caused by viruses or certain medications, and it can also appear in pregnancy or after organ transplantation.
The atypical form of the syndrome develops during or after upper respiratory tract infections. Its course is more severe and often leads to irreversible damage to the kidneys. The disease may be recurrent – during or after subsequent infections of the upper respiratory tract (sometimes caused by the same pathogen). There are also hereditary forms of hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Why does the disease occur?
In hemolytic uremic syndrome, bacterial toxins damage the endothelium that lines the inside of the vessel walls. Clots form, blocking the lumen of the vessels, preventing blood from flowing freely. Initially, the changes concern the renal vessels – therefore their functions are impaired. A sick person may suddenly stop urinating. Vascular damage may also affect other organs. Then the symptoms of other organs join the symptoms of the kidneys.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome – what are the symptoms of the disease?
A sick person has a fever and sometimes also develops symptoms of the nervous system, which result from clogging of the cerebral vessels by blood clots. The skin may take on a yellowish color.
Your doctor may order blood tests to assess your kidney function. A blood count may show anemia and thrombocytopenia. In a general urine test, blood cells and traces of protein may appear.
Treatment only in a hospital!
Treatment of haemolytic uremic syndrome must be carried out in a hospital. It is necessary to use hemodialysis and transfusion of concentrated red blood cells. The disease is dangerous – it leads to death in 25% of cases.
Internist – make an appointment