ESCHERICHIA-COLI AND THE HEMOLYTIC-UREMIC SYNDROME

Background. The hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) comprises hemolytic an emia, acute renal failure, and thrombocytopenia. It is the most freque nt cause of acute renal failure in children. Methods. This review is b ased on an extensive overview of the literature dealing with the HUS i n children. Results, HUS is the most common cause of acute renal failu re in infants and young children and follows a diarrheal prodrome appr oximately 90% of the time. Nearly all postdiarrheal cases are caused b y enterohemorrhagic E coli infections, in particular serotype O157:H7. Mortality is around 5%, and approximately 50% of survivors manifest s ome types of sequelae. Conclusion. Surveillance and contact investigat ion are important to control outbreaks, as well as early and aggressiv e treatment of symptomatic subjects to prevent mortality and severe co mplications, such as chronic renal disease.