Word
Reye syndrome
Reye syndrome is a rare, acute, potentially fatal illness of children that combines brain dysfunction with fatty change in the liver.
The illness is seen almost only in children and tends to follow a viral infection, especially influenza or chickenpox. Its brain dysfunction can progress from profuse vomiting and lethargy to delirium and coma, and the liver involvement that accompanies it is part of the definition. Its association with salicylates such as aspirin given during those infections is why a student meets it when reviewing aspirin use in children with chickenpox. Although it is rare, it can be fatal.