Reye's syndrome: A clinical review

Reye's syndrome is a virus-associated biphasic disease that causes acute encephalopathy in infants and children. Epidemiologic and experimental data support the hypothesis that it is a multifactorial disease of modern civilization. Just as young patients seem to be recovering uneventfully from the first phase of the illness, usually a nonspecific viral-like illness such as a respiratory tract infection or gastroenteritis, the second phase, encephalopathy, starts unexpectedly, with vomiting and sensorial changes. Identifying the syndrome early in the second phase and referring the child to a specialized centre with the experience, staff and facilities to manage this phase has improved the numbers and neurologic condition of survivors, though the overall mortality is still about 20%. Therapy is primarily directed at facilitating adequate cerebral perfusion pressure.