Reye syndrome cases

FDA Consumer, Oct, 1989

Reye Syndrome Cases

Further evidence on the link between Reye syndrome and aspirin was reported in a study published in the May 5 Journal of the American Medical Association. The study was designed to answer lingering questions about potential bias in earlier studies that suggested a link between aspirin use during viral illness in children and adolescents and the subsequent onset of Reye syndrome.

Reye syndrome is characterized by persistent vomiting, violent headaches, and bizarre mental and physical behavior in children who are recovering from a mild viral illness.

The researchers found that youngsters with Reye were 35 times more likely to have used aspirin than those in the control group.

The good news about Reye syndrome is that cases have steadily declined since 1980, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control--36 in 1987 and 20 in 1988. These are the lowest numbers since surveillance was begun in 1976. The decline is attributed to increased publicity about the association between aspirin and the syndrome.