Open AccessA case of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome as an early manifestation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Author(s) -
Dong Han,
Hee Jo Baek,
Young Kuk Cho,
Chan Jong Kim,
Myung Geun Shin,
Hoon Kook,
Tai Ju Hwang
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
korean journal of pediatrics/korean journal of pediatrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2092-7258
pISSN - 1738-1061
DOI - 10.3345/kjp.2010.53.2.253
Subject(s) - medicine , atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome , lymphoblastic leukemia , immunology , leukemia , antibody , complement system
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is the most common cause of acute renal failure in children younger than 4 years and is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure, and thrombocytopenia. HUS associated with diarrheal prodrome is usually caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 or by Shigella dysenteriae, which generally has a better outcome. However, atypical cases show a tendency to relapse with a poorer prognosis. HUS has been reported to be associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. The characteristics and the mechanisms underlying this condition are largely unknown. In this study, we describe the case of an 11-year-old boy in whom the diagnosis of ALL was preceded by the diagnosis of atypical HUS. Thus, patients with atypical HUS should be diagnosed for the possibility of developing ALL