nutch_noindex
Search Icon
    Menu Button
    Stanford Children's Health
    DonateContactMyChart LoginFind a Doctor
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • Contact
    • Refer a Patient
    • En Español
    • Our Locations
    • Medical Services
    • About Us
    • Research & Innovation
    • Patients & Visitors
    • For Health Professionals
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • En Español
    • MyChart Login
    • Recently Visited
      • Our Locations
      • Medical Services
      • About Us
      • Research & Innovation
      • Patients & Visitors
      • For Health Professionals
      CANCEL
      • View More Results

      Loading...

      COVID-2019 Alert

      Information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. Read the latest >

      Información sobre el coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Aprenda más >

      /nutch_noindex

       


      Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

      Illustration of the anatomy of the kidney
      Click Image to Enlarge

      What is HUS?

      Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare condition that mainly affects children younger than 10 years old. It often causes:

      • Damage to the lining of blood vessel walls

      • Destruction of red blood cells

      • Kidney failure

      What causes HUS?

      Most cases of HUS occur after an infection in the digestive tract caused by a certain type of E. coli bacteria. Diarrhea and upper respiratory infections are the most common factors leading to HUS. This type of E. coli can be found in undercooked meat. It is one of the causes of restaurant-related food poisoning outbreaks. HUS is less common in adults. But it may occur more often in women who:

      • Are pregnant

      • Have been taking birth control pills

      • Have recently had a baby or have birth-related problems

      How might HUS get worse?

      The first stage of HUS often lasts from 1 to 15 days. It may include gastrointestinal symptoms, such as:

      • Belly pain

      • Bloody diarrhea

      • Fever and chills

      • Vomiting

      Severe problems in the bowel and colon may develop in some cases. In these cases, even if the gastroenteritis has stopped, a child may still have these symptoms:

      • Irritability

      • Extreme tiredness (fatigue)

      • Small, unexplained bruises or small, clot-sized hemorrhages visible in the mucous lining of the mouth

      • Paleness

      The child may produce little urine. This is because damaged red blood cells and other factors may clog the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys or cause scars in the kidneys. This makes the kidneys work harder to remove wastes and extra fluid from the blood.

      The body can't get rid of extra fluid and waste. This may cause:

      • High blood pressure

      • Swelling of the hands and feet

      • Fluid buildup (edema)

      The symptoms of HUS may look like other conditions or health problems. See your healthcare provider for diagnosis.

      How is HUS treated?

      No known treatment can stop the progress of the syndrome once it has started.

      Most treatments are aimed at easing symptoms and preventing further complications. This may include:

      • Treating high blood pressure

      • Maintaining specific levels of fluids and salts

      • IV (intravenous) fluids and nutritional supplements with feeding tubes

      • Blood transfusions

      • Kidney dialysis

      • Medicine

      What is the prognosis for HUS?

      Most children with HUS recover fully. But a few will have lasting kidney damage.

      Related Topics

      • Neurological Exam for Children
      • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
      nutch_noindex
      • About Us
      • Contact
      • MyChart Login
      • Careers
      • Blog
      • Refer a Patient
      • Download from App Store Download From Google Play
      • Notice of Nondiscrimination
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Code of Conduct

      © 2021 Stanford Children's Health

      About

      • About Us
      • Our Hospital
      • Patient Stories
      • Blog
      • News
      • Send a Greeting Card
      • New Hospital
      • Careers

      Connect

      • Donate
      • Refer a Patient
      • Contact Us
      • Pay Your Bill

      Find

      • Doctors
      • Locations
      • Services
      • Classes
      Download from App Store Download From Google Play

      Also Find Us on:

      • facebook
      • twitter
      • youtube
      • linkedin
      US News & World Report Badge
      • Stanford Medicine
      • Stanford University
      • Stanford Health Care
      • Lucile Packard Foundation
      • Notice of Nondiscrimination
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Code of Conduct
      • © 2021 Stanford Children's Health
      /nutch_noindex