Pulmonary hemorrhage complicating a typical hemolytic-uremic syndrome

We describe a case of pulmonary bleeding and subsequent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a 20-month-old female suffering from a typical postdiarrheal hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Acute renal failure was treated early by peritoneal dialysis. It is of interest to underline that thrombocytopenia or any coagulative impairment was absent when this complication occurred, and spontaneous diuresis recovery was ongoing. All examinations failed to identify a unique site of bleeding in the main stem bronchi or trachea. Complete renal and clinical recovery was obtained in spite of this very uncommon complication. Intensivists should be aware of this rare and potentially fatal complication of typical (D+)HUS.