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Hemolytic-uremic syndrome in asir region
N N Al Harbi1, M E Elawad, M A Al Homrany
1Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Journal of Family & Community Medicine
|September 26, 2012
Summary
Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) disproportionately affects males, with Shigella being the most common cause. Complications like cortical blindness were more frequent in younger patients with lower platelet counts.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a significant cause of acute kidney injury in children globally.
- An increasing incidence of HUS cases has been observed in the Southern region of Saudi Arabia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of HUS in Southern Saudi Arabia.
- To analyze the clinical course and identify complications associated with HUS in this region.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 24 pediatric patients diagnosed with typical post-diarrheal HUS.
- Data collected from Asir Central Hospital between January 1989 and December 1994.
Main Results:
- The study included 15 boys and 9 girls, with cases peaking in spring and autumn.
- Shigella dysenteriae was the most frequently identified pathogen.
- Complications occurred in 33% of patients, including seizures (21%), cortical blindness (in 3 patients), and chronic renal failure (1 patient); 4% mortality was recorded.
Conclusions:
- Males are more susceptible to HUS than females.
- Shigella is the predominant causative organism identified.
- Cortical blindness is a notable complication, and younger patients with lower platelet counts experienced more severe outcomes.
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