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Reye and Reye-like syndromes: results of a pilot study in Peninsular Malaya, 1986
D Sinniah1, R Sinniah, Y F Yap
1Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.
Abstract:
A pilot epidemiologic study of all cases of Reye and Reye-like syndromes was undertaken at 8 representative major hospitals in Peninsular Malaya from January 1st to December 31st 1986. The cases were classified as definitive Reye's syndrome, clinical Reye's syndrome and encephalo-hepatopathies. Less than 50% of cases reviewed fulfilled the National Center for Disease Control criteria for clinical Reye's syndrome. Causes of Reye-like syndromes/encephalo-hepatopathies included fulminant hepatitis, Japanese B encephalitis, dengue, septicaemia, and complex febrile fits. It was not possible to differentiate clinical Reye's syndrome from the other encephalo-hepatopathies by either the clinical features (except for jaundice) or biochemical parameters. Liver biopsy is necessary for a definitive diagnosis of Reye's syndrome in Malaysia, because of the high prevalence of Reye-like diseases. The mortality rate in the 2 groups of patients is similar. Ingestion of salicylates was not found to be significantly associated with Reye and Reye-like syndromes in this study.
Insights
This study found that less than half of Reye syndrome cases met diagnostic criteria. Differentiating Reye-like illnesses from Reye
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
Background:
- Reye syndrome is a rare but serious condition affecting children and teenagers.
- Differentiating Reye syndrome from similar encephalopathic conditions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
- Previous studies have suggested a link between salicylate use and Reye syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a pilot epidemiologic study of Reye and Reye-like syndromes in Peninsular Malaya.
- To assess the diagnostic criteria for Reye syndrome in the Malaysian context.
- To investigate potential causes and clinical features of Reye-like syndromes.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of all Reye and Reye-like syndrome cases from 8 major hospitals in Peninsular Malaya (1986).
- Classification of cases into definitive Reye's syndrome, clinical Reye's syndrome, and encephalopathies.
- Analysis of clinical features, biochemical parameters, and diagnostic criteria (National Center for Disease Control).
Main Results:
- Less than 50% of reviewed cases met the National Center for Disease Control criteria for clinical Reye's syndrome.
- Identified causes of Reye-like syndromes included fulminant hepatitis, Japanese B encephalitis, dengue, septicaemia, and complex febrile fits.
- Clinical features and biochemical parameters (except jaundice) could not reliably differentiate Reye's syndrome from other encephalopathies.
Conclusions:
- Liver biopsy is essential for definitive Reye's syndrome diagnosis in Malaysia due to the high prevalence of Reye-like diseases.
- Salicylate ingestion was not significantly associated with Reye and Reye-like syndromes in this study.
- Similar mortality rates were observed between Reye's syndrome and Reye-like conditions.
