What is a "syndrome?"
The definition of a syndrome in medicine is a collection of symptoms (patient complaints), signs (findings on physical examination), and laboratory or imaging findings that tend to group together and be associated with a specific disease or illness.

What is hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)?
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a disease of blood clotting within the capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in the body. As red blood cells pass through the clogged capillaries, they are sheared apart and broken. This is called hemolysis and accounts for the first part of the syndrome's name. The other half of the syndrome's name refers to kidney failure in which urea and other waste products build up in the bloodstream because the kidney cannot filter and dispose of them. (urea=a waste chemical + emia= in the blood).

HUS is also related to another disease caused by a similar clotting process within the capillaries called thrombotic thrombocytic purpura (TTP). Within the medical literature, these two conditions are often considered together. HUS is more widely known, however, because it has been discussed in the press because of its relationship to a special type of E. Coli (Escherichia coli) infection associated with food poisoning.

What are the signs and symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome?
In E. coli-related HUS, gastroenteritis occurs with abdominal cramping, vomiting and profuse bloody, watery diarrhea. This may cause significant dehydration, weakness and lethargy, as well as electrolyte imbalances because of the loss of sodium and potassium in the vomit and diarrhea. These symptoms tend to resolve before the onset of HUS.

The anemia and uremia usually present with weakness, lethargy, and sleepiness. Purpura or small bleeding areas in the skin may be seen because of low platelet counts.

How is hemolytic uremic syndrome diagnosed?
The healthcare provider will have a suspicion of the disease based on the history and physical examination. Abnormal laboratory tests help confirm the diagnosis. They include:

Hemolytic anemia: the red blood cell count is low and a peripheral blood smear, in which blood is examined under a microscope, will show that the red cells have been damaged and destroyed. This differentiates hemolysis (hemo=blood + lysis=destruction) from anemia caused by decreased production of blood cells in the bone marrow.

Thrombocytopenia: a low platelet count

Uremia: Kidney function can be measured by testing the level of waste products in the blood normally filtered by the kidney. Creatinine is a breakdown product of a muscle protein called creatine .When this level rises, it is an indication of kidney failure or uremia.

Abnormal urine findings: Blood and protein may be found in the urine when normally they are not present.

Stool cultures: Since E. coli O157:O7 is the most common cause of HUS, attempts are made to culture the bacteria from stool samples. The body usually clears the bacteria from the stool within a week, so a negative test does not exclude the disease. A positive test helps confirm HUS and will be reported to public health authorities to try to determine the source of the infection. Recent public health success stories in the news include tracking down tainted spinach from a single farm in California that sickened many around the country.

One of the distinguishing findings between HUS and TTP is a normal neurologic examination. The brain function is normal in HUS.

What is the treatment for hemolytic uremic syndrome?
HUS in children tends to be self-limiting, and supportive care is often all that is needed. This may include intravenous fluids for rehydration and rebalancing of electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which can be lost with the diarrhea.

Blood transfusion are only used for the most severe cases of anemia in which the hemoglobin falls below 6 or 7 g/dL (depending on age, the normal value is 11-16).

Kidney failure can be managed expectantly (by observation and supportive care), and dialysis is not often required.

Adults with HUS tend to become more ill and need more aggressive therapy than children with the condition. In addition to the supportive care discussed above, plasmapheresis or plasma exchange may be required. Since it is thought there is an abnormal chemical in the plasma stimulating the abnormal clot formation, removing the plasma and replacing it with donor plasma is helpful in treating adult HUS.

Temporary dialysis may be needed while awaiting recovery of the kidneys from the illness.

What is the outcome of hemolytic uremic syndrome?
HUS in children tends to be self-limiting, and full recovery should be expected.

Adults do less well. Without aggressive therapy like plasmapheresis and dialysis, up to 40% of those affected may die, and 80% may have kidney impairment. With treatment, the death rate falls to 10% or less and kidney impairment to 25%.

Patients with HUS not related to a diarrheal illness have a worse prognosis than those whose illness is due to an E. coli infection.

In those patients with genetically caused HUS, relapsing illness is common as are kidney failure requiring dialysis and death.

How can hemolytic uremic syndrome be prevented?
Most cases of E. coli-related HUS can be prevented by thorough cooking of hamburger products. The vast majority of cases of HUS are caused by poor food handling, and proper technique in the kitchen is the key to prevention.

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