Further Outpatient Care

STEC-HUS

Patients recovering from Shiga toxin–producing E coli hemolytic-uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) should have regular follow-up until their symptoms have resolved and their hemoglobin, platelet counts, and renal function have returned to normal.

Beyond that, no consensus is noted regarding frequency of follow-up or testing required. Preliminary data suggest many survivors may have persistent, subclinical renal injury, putting them at risk for future development of hypertension, proteinuria, and/or chronic renal disease.^[38]

All patients should have their blood pressure checked at each medical encounter. Patients with persistent hypertension require antihypertensives.

The authors suggest annual follow-up with a nephrologist, with consideration of annual urinalysis, urine microalbumin, serum creatinine, and fasting glucose levels on an annual basis.

Counsel patients on the importance of a healthy lifestyle, with regular exercise, healthy diet, and avoidance of tobacco and obesity. These measures are beneficial for all patients, but especially those at higher risk for future renal disease.

Atypical HUS

Patients with pneumococcal-associated hemolytic-uremic syndrome have a lower risk of recurrence and should have follow-up as outlined for STEC-HUS above.

Patients with idiopathic or genetically mediated atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (aHUS) are at high risk for having a persistent and relapsing course, and most require more frequent and lifelong nephrology follow-up.

General preventive measures

Avoid ingestion of raw or undercooked meat.

Avoid unpasteurized milk and cheese.

Practice good hand hygiene, especially during outbreaks of diarrhea, after touching livestock, farm animals, or "petting zoo" animals. Supervise children to ensure good technique.

Avoid taking antidiarrheal or antimotility agents for diarrhea. Avoid taking antibiotics for diarrhea unless under the management of a physician.

Seek medical care immediately for bloody diarrhea.

Preventive measures for medical practitioners

Avoid antibiotic treatment of patients with possible GI E coli 0157:H7 infection, unless other clinical factors require antibiotic therapy.^[36]

Use ample parenteral volume expansion with isotonic (normal) saline in patients with suspected E coli 0157:H7 infection (eg, those with bloody diarrhea). Early recognition is important.

A study has shown that early and ample rehydration with isotonic saline is associated with a lower risk of developing oligoanuric renal failure.^[6]Many patients who received this therapy still developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome, but they had a less severe course, with shorter lengths of stay and fewer patients requiring dialysis. Ake et al recommend that patients with suspected E coli 0157:H7 infection be admitted for inpatient therapy, using intravenous isotonic saline for both maintenance and replacement fluid requirements, avoiding use of hypotonic fluids. The authors of this article concur with this advice. Trials of oral rehydration, normally an appropriate practice, should be avoided in this situation due to the risk of prolonged renal hypoperfusion.

Monitor fluid status, intake, and output closely because renal function may change rapidly, requiring adjustments to fluid therapy. Use potassium supplementation with great caution.

Questions

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Media Gallery

Peripheral blood smear in hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) showing many schistocytes and RBC fragments due to hemolysis, and relatively few platelets reflective of thrombocytopenia.
Micrograph of a glomerulus in hemolytic-uremic syndrome, showing thrombi and red blood cell fragments in the capillary space. Courtesy of Xin J (Joseph) Zhou, MD, Renal Path Diagnostics, Pathologists BioMedical Labs.

of 2

Author

Robert S Gillespie, MD, MPH Senior Consultant, Medical Director, Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Cook Children's Medical Center

Disclosure: Received consulting fee from Alexion Pharmaceuticals for consulting.

Specialty Editor Board

Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Luther Travis, MD Professor Emeritus, Departments of Pediatrics, Nephrology and Diabetes, University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine

Luther Travis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Federation for Medical Research, International Society of Nephrology, Texas Pediatric Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Craig B Langman, MD Tenured Professor of Pediatrics, The First Isaac A Abt, MD, Professor of Kidney Diseases (Emeritus), Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine; Staff Nephrologist, The Ann and Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Craig B Langman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, Association of Clinical Scientists, Cochrane Collaboration, International Bone and Mineral Society, International Conferences on Calcium Regulating Hormones, International Pediatric Nephrology Association, International Society of Nephrology, International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism, Midwest Society for Pediatric Research, Pediatric Academic Societies, ROCK (Research on Calculus Kinetics) Society, Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Alexion Pharmaceuticals; Horizon Pharmaceuticals); Dicerna Pharmaceuticals<br/>Incyte Pharmaceuticals; Eli Lilly for: Federation bio; Dicerna pharmaceuticals.

Additional Contributors

Richard Neiberger, MD, PhD Director of Pediatric Renal Stone Disease Clinic, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, University of Florida College of Medicine and Shands Hospital

Richard Neiberger, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation for Medical Research, American Medical Association, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, Florida Medical Association, International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis, International Society of Nephrology, National Kidney Foundation, New York Academy of Sciences, Shock Society, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, Southern Medical Association, Southern Society for Pediatric Research, Southwest Pediatric Nephrology Study Group

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ronald D Prauner, MD Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, F Edward Herbert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services of the Health Sciences; Assistant Deputy Commander for Medicine; Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, VA; Consultant to the Army Surgeon General for Pediatric Subspecialties; Staff Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital

Ronald D Prauner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, Children's Oncology Group

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Craig S Wong, MD, MPH Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine; Director of Pediatric Kidney Transplantation, Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico Transplant Services, Children's Hospital of New Mexico

Craig S Wong, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Tamara Biega, MD, to the original writing and development of this article.