Reye's syndrome

Symptoms of Reye's syndrome often start 1 to 3 weeks after a child recovers from a virus like flu or chickenpox.

The child may:

• keep being sick (vomiting)
• be drowsy and lack energy
• feel confused
• have changes in their behaviour, such as being irritable or aggressive
• breathe quickly and have a fast heart rate
• have fits (seizures)
• lose consciousness

Reye's syndrome most commonly affects children between 5 and 14 years of age.

Younger and older children can also sometimes get it, but it's very rare in babies under the age of 1 and in those over the age of 18.

If there's a chance your child might have Reye's syndrome, they'll be referred to a specialist for some tests.

Tests may include:

• blood and urine tests
• a CT scan and an electroencephalogram (EEG)
• a lumbar puncture – where a thin needle is inserted into their lower back to remove a small amount of spinal fluid for testing
• a liver biopsy – where a small sample of cells from the liver is taken for testing

If your child has Reye's syndrome, they'll need to go into hospital straight away for treatment.

Treatments for Reye's syndrome may include:

• help with breathing using an oxygen machine
• fluids given directly into a vein to help prevent dehydration
• medicines to help treat and manage symptoms

Most children with Reye's syndrome make a full recovery if it's treated quickly. But some children can have long-term brain problems.

The exact cause of Reye's syndrome is unknown.

It's been linked to the use of a type of medicine known as salicylates, particularly aspirin, in young people and children under 16.

Sometimes a child with a rare genetic condition, such as medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD), can get Reye's syndrome. This has nothing to do with the use of aspirin.

There are things you can do to reduce your child's chance of getting Reye's syndrome.

• think about getting your child vaccinated against flu and other common viruses

• do not give aspirin to children under the age of 16, unless their doctor prescribes it

• do not give children under 16 any medicines that contain salicylic acid or salicylate, which includes some mouth ulcer gels – ask a pharmacist for advice about alternatives suitable for children

Symptoms of Reye's syndrome include being sick (vomiting) a lot, being drowsy and lacking energy, feeling confused and changes in behaviour.

Tests that may be used to check for Reye's syndrome include blood and urine tests, scans, a lumbar puncture or a liver biopsy.

Treatments for Reye's syndrome include help with breathing, fluids to prevent dehydration and medicines to help control the symptoms.

Reye's syndrome has been linked to the use of aspirin in young people, particularly children under 16. But the exact cause is not known.

To help prevent Reye's syndrome, never give aspirin, or medicines with salicylic acid or salicylate, to children under 16 unless their doctor says to.