Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is the leading cause of acute kidney failure in children and typically results as a complication of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) infection. It can also result from other infections such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, hereditary factors, toxin exposure, lupus, pregnancy and cancer, but all these forms are much rarer (1). HUS can affect both adults and children, but is much more common in children (2).

Each year, HUS affects between 1.09 and 2.67 cases per 100,000 people per year in the U.S. This equates to 3300-8100 cases in the U.S. per year. The mortality rate for HUS, which primarily affects children under 10, is between 3-7% (1). Among the elderly, HUS has a dire prognosis, with mortality rates up to 50% (3).

Read more about HUS:

• HUS Risk Factors
• HUS Symptoms and Diagnosis
• HUS Treatment

Sources:

1. Razzaq S. 2006. Hemolytic uremic syndrome: an emerging health risk. Am Fam Physician. 74:6:991-996.

2. Andreoli SP. 1999. The pathophysiology of the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 8:459-64.

4 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2007). Escherichia coli O157:H7 from the Bad Bug Book. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Online at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap15.html

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• Experienced

  Our law firm has represented victims of E. coli outbreaks involving ground beef, spinach and lettuce. We have also handled cases involving restaurants, including cases where health officials could not pinpoint the food served at the restaurant that was responsible for the illnesses. We also have represented the families of people who died from the complications of an E. coli infection, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

• Respected

  Our lawyers have gained a national reputation in this area and have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, TV stations and others. In recognition of their accomplishments, Pritzker | Ruohonen lawyers Fred Pritzker, Rich Ruohonen and Elliot Olsen have been named "Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics.

• Advocates

  For most of our clients, the goal of an E. coli lawsuit is not only just compensation, but also to send a message to food manufacturers, food retailers, restaurants and others that food safety matters. We support our clients in this and take measures to advocate for needed changes on the federal and state levels.