Hoppa till huvudinnehåll

Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome

Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome is a disease that primarily affects kidney function. This condition, which can occur at any age, causes abnormal blood clots (thrombi) to form in small blood vessels in the kidneys. These clots can cause serious medical problems if they restrict or block blood flow. Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome is characterised by three major features related to abnormal clotting: hemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and kidney failure.

Beskrivning

Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome is a disease that primarily affects kidney function. This condition, which can occur at any age, causes abnormal blood clots (thrombi) to form in small blood vessels in the kidneys. These clots can cause serious medical problems if they restrict or block blood flow. Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome is characterised by three major features related to abnormal clotting: hemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and kidney failure.

Hemolytic anaemia occurs when red blood cells break down (undergo hemolysis) prematurely. In atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome, red blood cells can break apart as they squeeze past clots within small blood vessels. Anaemia results if these cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them. Anaemia can lead to unusually pale skin (pallor), yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice), fatigue, shortness of breath, and a rapid heart rate.

Thrombocytopenia is a reduced level of circulating platelets, which are cells that normally assist with blood clotting. In people with atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome, fewer platelets are available in the bloodstream because a large number of platelets are used to make abnormal clots. Thrombocytopenia can cause easy bruising and abnormal bleeding.

As a result of clot formation in small blood vessels, people with atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome experience kidney damage and acute kidney failure that lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in about half of all cases. These life-threatening complications prevent the kidneys from filtering fluids and waste products from the body effectively.

Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome should be distinguished from a more common condition called typical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. The two disorders have different causes and different signs and symptoms. Unlike the atypical form, the typical form is caused by infection with certain strains of Escherichia coli bacteria that produce toxic substances called Shiga-like toxins. The typical form is characterised by severe diarrhea and most often affects children younger than 10. The typical form is less likely than the atypical form to involve recurrent attacks of kidney damage that lead to ESRD.

Inheritance patterns

The source lists the following possible inheritance patterns: Autosomal dominant; Autosomal recessive. More than one pattern can apply in different cases.

Other names

AHUS

Non-Shiga-like toxin-associated HUS

Non-Stx-HUS

Nonenteropathic HUS

Related patient information and medicines

E. coli

Patient information leaflet

E. coli

Also, the poison (toxin) released by VTEC O157 can cause other serious diseases such as haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Other diseases Other diseases associated with E. coli include haemolytic u... Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) Between 1 and 2 in 10 people infected with VTEC O157 develop HUS in.

Antifosfolipidsyndrom

Patient information leaflet

Antifosfolipidsyndrom

Antifosfolipidsyndrom is sometimes called Hughes' syndrome. It is a disease that affects the blood and makes it more likely to clot than normal - a thrombophilia. What is antiphospholipid syndrome. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) - also called Hughes' syndrome - makes blood more likely than normal to clot (a thrombophilia ). APS can cause.

Nefrotiskt syndrom

Patient information leaflet

Nefrotiskt syndrom

Nephrotic syndrome is a condition where the 'filters' in the kidney become 'leaky' and large amounts of protein leak from the blood into the urine. Various diseases can cause nephrotic syndrome, some more serious than others. What is nephrotic syndrome. Nefrotiskt syndrom is not a single disease - it is a syndrome. A syndrome is a set of symptoms.

Cervikal revben

Patient information leaflet

Cervikal revben

About 1 in 100 people are born with an extra rib called a cervical rib. About 1 in 10 people who have a cervical rib develop thoracic outlet syndrome. Treatment can include painkillers, physiotherapy and sometimes surgery to relieve the compression caused by, for example, a cervical rib. What is a cervical rib. About 1 in 200 people are born with.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrom

Patient information leaflet

Ehlers-Danlos syndrom

Den Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of conditions that affect the stretchiness and strength of supporting tissues in the body, including skin, joints, blood vessels and internal organs. What are the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. The Ehlers Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of conditions which are usually (although not always) inherited from.

Hand-arm vibrationssyndrom

Patient information leaflet

Hand-arm vibrationssyndrom

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (sometimes abbreviated to HAVS) causes changes in the sensation of the fingers which can lead to permanent numbness of fingers, muscle weakness and, in some cases, bouts of white finger. It is caused by working with vibrating tools. It would be unusual to develop hand-arm vibration syndrome without using vibrating tools.

Vidare läsning och referenser

Artikelhistorik

Informationen på denna sida är skriven och granskad av kvalificerade kliniker.
  • 18 aug 2020 | Senaste versionen
  • 1 Jun 2010 | Ursprungligen publicerad

Delta i konversationen

Dela dina tankar eller erfarenheter med andra i vår patientgemenskaper.

Ansvarsfriskrivning: The views expressed in the community do not represent medical advice. For any health concerns, consult your GP or healthcare provider.
influensaberättigandekontroll

Fråga, dela, anslut.

Bläddra i diskussioner, ställ frågor och dela erfarenheter inom hundratals hälsorelaterade ämnen.

Anmäl dig till Patientens nyhetsbrev

Din veckovisa dos av tydliga, pålitliga hälsoråd - skrivna för att hjälpa dig känna dig informerad, självsäker och i kontroll.

Vänligen ange en giltig e-postadress

Genom att prenumerera accepterar du våra Sekretesspolicy. Du kan avsluta prenumerationen när som helst. Vi säljer aldrig dina uppgifter.