Escherichia coli and the hemolytic-uremic syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) comprises hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure, and thrombocytopenia. It is the most frequent cause of acute renal failure in children.


METHODS
This review is based on an extensive overview of the literature dealing with the HUS in children.


RESULTS
HUS is the most common cause of acute renal failure in infants and young children and follows a diarrheal prodrome approximately 90% of the time. Nearly all postdiarrheal cases are caused by enterohemorrhagic E coli infections, in particular serotype O157:H7. Mortality is around 5%, and approximately 50% of survivors manifest some types of sequelae.


CONCLUSIONS
Surveillance and contact investigation are important to control outbreaks, as well as early and aggressive treatment of symptomatic subjects to prevent mortality and severe complications, such as chronic renal disease.
Begue
R E
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Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, USA.
Mehta
D I
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Blecker
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D002648:Child; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D019453:Escherichia coli O157; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans