Introduction
Reye’s syndrome is a rare disease that affects mainly children between four and nine years of age. It causes damage to the brain, a so-called encephalopathy, as well as inflammation of the liver, which is characterized by fatty degeneration. This can eventually lead to liver failure. In most cases, Reye’s syndrome manifests itself following a viral infection, for example after an infection with the flu virus or the chickenpox virus. Taking certain drugs can also lead to the development of Reye’s syndrome.
Causes
Taking Aspirin® is considered to be the cause of the development of Reye’s syndrome in children. Genetic causes are also discussed, as some people seem to be more susceptible to Reye’s syndrome. If children suffer from viral infections (e.g. influenza infection, chicken pox infection) and receive Aspirin® therapeutically, the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome is increased.
Therefore, children should only receive Aspirin® in exceptional cases. However, the disease has also been observed in children who had not previously taken Aspirin®. In addition to the association with infections with the typical influenza viruses, an association with viruses causing gastrointestinal diseases was also found (enteroviruses).
At the cellular level, Reye’s syndrome is characterized by a malfunction of the mitochondria. Mitochondria are the “power stations” of the body cells and are essential for the metabolism, as they control important energy utilization cycles using oxygen. In Reye’s syndrome, various mitochondrial enzymes are disrupted, resulting in the accumulation of toxic ammonia in the body, for example.
In addition, the acidic metabolic product lactate and long-chain fatty acids are stored in the tissues and organs. In the liver, the fatty acids lead to fatty degeneration. This additionally impairs liver function.
In the brain, the ammonia leads to the development of encephalopathy, a severe damage to the brain that can result in permanent damage. Overall, it can be said that the connections between Reye’s syndrome and viral infectious diseases, as well as the intake of acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin®), have not yet been clearly clarified. The genetic risk for the disease has also not been proven beyond doubt to date.
The only thing that is certain is that the disease usually manifests itself in children following a viral infection and that there is often an association with Aspirin®. The exact connections are unclear. Aspirin®, or the active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid, is not approved for children under 15 years of age and is strictly contraindicated.
Taking Aspirin® can lead to the so-called Reye syndrome in children. The cause of Reye’s syndrome is not fully understood. What is certain is that in addition to the Aspirin® intake, which leads to Reye’s syndrome, there is often a viral infection, which is sometimes not noticed.
Taking Aspirin® together with the virus infection leads to a severe liver dysfunction. The liver is no longer able to break down the breakdown products produced in the body, such as some ammonia. Ammonia is harmful to the central nervous system. It leads to a so-called encephalopathy, a change in the brain, which in the case of Reye’s syndrome is accompanied by a loss of consciousness and in the further course of the disease by personality changes. The first symptom of Reye’s Syndrome is often nausea and strong vomiting.
