Brain and Spinal Cord Damage

One of the major risks of an E. coli O157:H7 infection is the development of a complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failure among children in the U.S. Approximately 3-15% of children infected with E. coli O157:H7 develop HUS. Of those who develop HUS, there is a 20-30% chance of developing concurrent damage to the central nervous system (CNS, the brain and spinal cord). CNS damage typically accompanies the worst cases of HUS is an indicator for a poor prognosis (1).

Possible symptoms of CNS (brain and spinal cord) damage include (2):

• Seizures
• Altered consciousness
• Behavioral changes
• Double vision
• Dizziness

Read about causes of CNS (brain and spinal cord) damage.

Sources:

1. Upadhyaya K, Barwick K, Fishaut M, Kashgarian M, Siegel NJ. 1980. The importance of nonrenal involvement in hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Pediatrics, 65:115-120.

2. Sheth KJ, Swick HM, Haworth N. 1986. Neurological involvement in hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Ann Neurol. 19:90–93.

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