Haemolytic Uraemia Syndrome

Question 1

what is HUS?

Answer 1

thrombosis in small blood vessels throughout the body

usually triggered by a shiga toxin

Question 2

classical triad of HUS

Answer 2

1. low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) (this is because the formation of blood clots uses up a lot of the platelets)
2. haemolytic anaemia (the clots chop up the RBC as they pass leading to anaemia)
3. acute kidney injury (this is because the blood flow through the kidney is affected by all the clots ad damage to RBC)

Question 3

causes of HUS

Answer 3

e.coli 0157
shiga toxin
shigella

Question 4

how does HUS present?

Answer 4

e.coli causes brief gastroenteritis- bloody diarrhoea

around day five, a pt with HUS may present with:
reduced UO
haematuria or dark brown urine
abdominal pain
lethargy and irritability
hypertension
bruising

Question 5

how do we manage HUS?

Answer 5

this is a medical emergency
self limiting condition
supportive management

• antihypertensives
• blood transfusion
• dialysis

70-80% make a full recovery