MARQUETTE -- Reyes Syndrome develops from the use of aspirin to treat viral infections. Ninety percent of Reyes Syndrome cases are associated with respiratory infections that are treated with aspirin. And for parents like Jennifer Gerry whose child Cheryl frequently has respiratory and immuno-deficiency problems, too much aspirin could lead to Reyes Syndrome, and she's not taking any chances.
“She gets her flu shot every year, her pneumonia shot and yeah, she's never had aspirin,” says Gerry.
“Ever?” I ask.
“Ever,” Gerry emphasizes.
Dr. Francis Darr is a pediatrician in Gwinn. Although he's never seen a case of Reyes Syndrome, he knows what to look out for and what parents can do to prevent their kids from getting it.
“Avoiding aspirin all together in children and immunizing against these diseases, so the most common diseases that it's associated with are influenza and chicken pox, both of which we have immunizations against,” explains Dr. Darr.
Up to half of all kids diagnosed with Reyes Syndrome will not survive it. Doctors say it's important to check the label on all medications because there are some that may contain aspirin, even though it might not be obvious.
So if you have to give your child aspirin for a high fever or viral infection, what should you watch out for? Dr. Darr says it starts with constant vomiting about three or four days later. As it becomes more severe, the child will become confused.
“It's the combination of facts that lead to a clinic picture of liver function abnormalities, brain abnormalities, inflammation of the brain in a non-infectious way, that combination of things,” Dr. Darr adds.
There's no way to reverse the course of Reyes Syndrome, so if you are concerned about your children, it's critical that you take them to see a doctor. It is treatable, though, and if they are diagnosed with it, they will be hospitalized and undergo supportive care.
As for 10-year-old Cheryl, her mother will continue to treat her viral infections without using aspirin, just to be safe.
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