What Is Reye's Syndrome?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
3. What Is the Cause?
Sometimes Reye’s syndrome occurs, and no cause is known. Other cases can be traced back to a previously unknown underlying metabolic condition that is brought out during the viral illness. This metabolic condition involves a missing enzyme necessary for the breakdown of fatty acids.
Reye’s syndrome can also be caused by external factors. The most common circumstance is the use of aspirin to treat fever and other symptoms of a viral illness in children. For this reason, aspirin should never be given to children. Other external factors, such as exposure to pesticides or paint thinner, have been explored as potential causes of Reye’s syndrome.
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