Syndrome, Reye


A sudden, sometimes fatal, disease of the brain (encephalopathy) with degeneration of the liver, occurs in children (most cases 4-12 years of age), comes after the chickenpox (varicella) or an influenza-type illness, is also associated with taking medications containing aspirin.

The child with Reye (pronounced rye) syndrome first tends to be unusually quiet, lethargic (stuporous), sleepy, and vomiting. In the second stage, the lethargy deepens, the child is confused, combative and delirious. And things get worse from there with decreasing consciousness, coma, seizures, and eventually death.

The prognosis (outlook) depends on early diagnosis and control of the increased intracranial pressure.

Reye syndrome is a good reason to have your child immunized against chickenpox and not give the child aspirin for fever.

Read Also:

  • Syndrome, Rothmund-Thomson

    See Rothmund-Thomson syndrome.

  • Syndrome, SAPHO

    Synovitis — inflammation of the joint lining (synovium), typically manifest as warmth, tenderness, pain, swelling, and stiffness of involved joints (arthritis). Acne — a familiar skin condition featuring tiny areas of inflammation with pus formation at the hair follicles, most commonly on the face and upper back. Pustulosis — a very inflammatory skin condition resulting […]

  • Syndrome, Shulman's (Eosinophilic fasciitis)

    See eosinophilic fasciitis.

  • Syndrome, sicca

    An autoimmune diseases, also known as Sjogren syndrome, that classically combines dry eyes, dry mouth, and another disease of the connective tissues such as rheumatoid arthritis (most common), lupus, scleroderma or polymyositis. There is a great preponderance of females. About 90% of Sjogren syndrome patients are female, usually in middle age or older. Sjogren syndrome […]

  • Syndrome, sick sinus

    Symptoms of dizziness, confusion, fainting, and heart failure due to a problem with the sinus node of the heart, which acts as the body’s natural pacemaker. If the sinus node is not functioning normally, it is reflected in an abnormally slow heart rate (bradycardia). This can cause poor pumping by the heart, which can impair […]


Disclaimer: Syndrome, Reye definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.