Aspirin and Reye's syndrome
Reye's syndrome is a rare disorder that occurs almost exclusively in children under the age of 15 and can cause severe liver and brain damage. Taking aspirin seems to significantly increase the risk of developing Reye's syndrome; therefore, do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless told to do so by a health professional.
Reye's syndrome can occur when a child seems to be recovering from a viral infection such as a cold, flu, or chickenpox. Symptoms of Reye's syndrome include vomiting, lack of energy, excessive sleepiness, memory loss, confusion, and coma.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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