[Acute hepatopathy compatible with Reye's syndrome in 3 children treated by chemotherapy]

Chemotherapy for malignant diseases sometimes leads to hepatic toxicity. Reye's syndrome has not been described in such a situation.

Three children, 4, 5 and 6 years-old, were treated for lymphoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia. They were given polychemotherapy including drugs that were not potentially hepatotoxic. During remission, they suddenly developed manifestations such as neurologic disturbances, hepatomegaly, increased activity of liver enzymes, and microvesicular steatosis. These disturbances were consistent with the diagnostic criteria for Reye's syndrome recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Factors such as viral infection, salicylate administration, primary metabolic disorder were not present. One child died and the other two recovered completely.

Patients given chemotherapy, even though the relationship between them remains to be determined, may develop manifestations compatible with a diagnosis of Reye's syndrome.