Who is likely to develop Reye’s syndrome?
The cause of Reye’s syndrome is unknown. However, the adolescent who develops Reye’s syndrome often has a history of a preceding viral infection, which may include chicken pox, influenza or gastroenteritis. There is a strong epidemiological association between the ingestion of aspirin during the preceding viral infection and the development of Reye’s syndrome. Studies have not established a genetic basis for adolescents who develop Reye’s syndrome. Two epidemiological patterns have been associated with the illness. One pattern of Reye’s syndrome cases is clustered mainly in the winter and early spring with cases occurring in certain localities. This pattern is associated with outbreaks of Influenza A and Influenza B. The other epidemiological pattern is seen on a sporadic basis and is associated with chicken pox illness. The patients who develop Reye’s syndrome in association with chicken pox are usually between ages five years and nine years. Those patients who develop Reye’s syndrome
