Atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome secondary to acute pancreatitis: a unique presentation

Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) is a disease of complement dysregulation and can be fatal if not treated in a timely manner. Although normally associated with triggers such as infection or pregnancy, this case demonstrates acute pancreatitis as the triggering event. The patient's initial presentation of thrombocytopaenia and acute renal failure was first attributed to a systemic inflammatory response syndrome due to pancreatitis, but with detailed history and further laboratory investigation, we were able to show that patient was having symptoms associated with aHUS. On early recognition of aHUS, this patient was able to receive the proper standard of care with eculizumab and had a full recovery while preventing renal failure. When patients present with thrombocytopaenia and renal failure in acute pancreatitis, we want to ensure physicians keep aHUS on the differential.