Hemolytic uremic syndrome, or SUH, is a syndrome characterized by three main symptoms: hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure and thrombopenia, which corresponds to a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood.
This syndrome occurs more easily in children by consuming foods contaminated with bacteria such as Escherichia coli, but can also occur in adults both by infection and as a result of other situations, such as high blood pressure and scleroderma, for example..
- The main cause of SUH.
- Especially in children.
- Is infection with Escherichia coli.
- Salmonella sp.
- Or Shigella sp.
- They are bacteria capable of releasing toxins into the bloodstream and causing the formation of small thrombus in the vessels.
- Resulting in destruction.
- Red blood cells and kidney damage.
- This type of infection usually occurs from the consumption of food contaminated with these microorganisms.
- So it is important to pay attention to personal and food hygiene.
- Understand what food hygiene is like.
Aunque es más común en niños, el síndrome hemolítico y urémico también puede ocurrir en adultos y puede ser causado tanto por ingerir alimentos contaminados con bacterias, como también como resultado de otras situaciones, como insuficiencia renal posparto, esclerodermia, infección viral.antiphospholipid syndrome, for example.
The first symptoms of SUH are similar to those of gastroenteritis, with fever, chills, diarrhea, excessive fatigue, vomiting and weakness; other symptoms may occur during the course of the disease, such as:
Although rare, neurological symptoms, such as seizures, irritability, loss of consciousness, and coma, may occur, for example.In addition, it is important to note that not all cases of SUH are preceded by diarrhoea, it is important that in the presence of Ante any suggestive symptoms of the syndrome, the person goes to the doctor to make the diagnosis and start treatment, thus avoiding complications such as heart failure or chronic renal failure.
The diagnosis of SUH is made by evaluating the symptoms and the result of laboratory tests requested by the doctor, which aim to identify the three main characteristics of the disease, namely hemolytic anemia, decreased platelet count and alterations in renal function.
Thus, the doctor usually questions about the performance of the blood formula, which checks the increase in the number of leukocytes, the decrease in the number of platelets, red blood cells and hemoglobin, as well as the presence of schizocytosis, which are fragments of red blood cells that indicate that these cells broke due to a situation, which is usually the presence of thrombus.Learn how to interpret the blood formula.
Tests are also needed to assess renal function, such as measuring urea and creatinine in the blood, which are increased in this situation, as well as an increase in the concentration of indirect bilirubin in the blood and LDH, which usually indicates microangiopathic hemolysis., that is, red blood cells are destroyed due to the presence of small thrombus in the vessels.
In addition to these tests, your doctor may also request a coculture, which aims to identify the bacteria responsible for the infection, if applicable, and thus define the best treatment to treat HSH.
Treatment of hemolytic and uremic syndrome is done to relieve symptoms and promote the elimination of bacteria, in case the syndrome occurs as a result of infection, so it is important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, as well as reduce protein intake.to prevent more severe kidney damage.
In some cases, the doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics to fight infections or blood transfusions, which is usually indicated in children who have had bloody diarrhea as a symptom; in more severe cases, that is, when kidney damage is already advanced and the person has symptoms of chronic kidney disease, dialysis and even a kidney transplant may be necessary, in which the affected kidney is replaced by a healthy kidney. See how the kidney transplant is done and what the postoperative looks like.
To avoid HUS, it is important to avoid eating raw or undercooked meats, as they may be contaminated, as well as avoid eating milk-derived foods that have not been pasteurized, as well as washing your hands well before preparing food and after using the bath.