Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome: clinical course and neurological outcome

The syndrome of hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy is associated with an acute onset of diarrhea, followed by shock, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, multiorgan failure, and encephalopathy. The etiology of this syndrome is unknown, and despite intensive treatment, the outcome is often fatal or associated with severe neurological sequelae. Two infants aged 6 and 9 months were admitted with this syndrome within a 24-hour time interval. The authors hereby present the clinical course and a prospective evaluation of the neurological outcome. A review of the literature regarding this infrequent syndrome is presented.