Pulmonary Dysfunction Associated with Reye's Syndrome

Since 1968, 35 patients with Reye's syndrome have been seen at the University of Kansas Medical Center. From January, 1974 to April, 1977, 22 of 28 patients survived. Mortality was confined to the group with severe central nervous system involvement. Pulmonary complications were observed only in this group. The principal lung findings were pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and "adult" respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The occurrence of pulmonary edema was closely linked to increased intracranial pressure. The incidence of severe pulmonary dysfunction can be substantially reduced if the intracranial pressure is continuously monitored and medical management is directed toward maintenance of pressure within normal limits.