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Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

HUS - Kidney Failure (Renal Failure)

Our attorneys have won lawsuits for
people with HUS kidney failure.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is an illness that causes kidney failure, and it primarily affects children. HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. Most cases of HUS are caused by E. coli O157:H7.

HUS E. coli LawsuitHUS kidney failure leads to a multitude of serious health problems because the toxins that would have been eliminated from the body in urine end up in the blood. This build up of toxins is called uremia. These uremic toxins are basically poison to the body, hence the term uremic poisoning is often used to describe hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is sometimes accompanied by thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), which is also associated with kidney failure and central nervous system (CNS) injuries such as those described below. With TTP, the cause of the CNS injury is usually the thrombi, blood clots in the small vessels. TTP is sometimes referred to as adult HUS, but children can develop TTP HUS.

HUS is medically complex, and it is important to get an attorney with experience in this area. Contact Attorney Fred Pritzker about his experience with E. coli HUS cases.

HUS Kidney Failure and Hemorrhagic Stroke

HUS kidney failure can lead to hemorrhagic stroke. The illness associated with kidney failure is uremia, The uremic state causes platelet dysfunction and altered platelet–vessel wall interaction resulting in a bleeding tendency and increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.1

HUS hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or ruptures. Hemorrhagic strokes result in tissue injury by causing compression of tissue from an expanding hematoma or hematomas. This can distort and injure tissue. In addition, the pressure may lead to a loss of blood supply to affected tissue with resulting infarction, and the blood released by brain hemorrhage appears to have direct toxic effects on brain tissue and vasculature.

HUS Kidney Failure and Seizures

HUS-associated seizures can be caused by kidney failure and the resulting uremia. The seizures are a sign that the body is being poisoned.

HUS seizures can be caused by factors other than uremia, including by a high fever. Read more about HUS seizures.

Uremia-associated HUS seizures may be alleviated by dialysis, although dialysis itself can cause seizures. If the seizures are not readily controlled, the HUS patient may be put into a medically-induced coma.

HUS Kidney Failure and Coma

As with stroke and seizures, the toxins in the blood stream because of the renal failure can cause an HUS-associated coma. There are varying degrees of consciousness. The Glasgow Coma Scale is used to determine the level of coma. The total Glasgow Coma Scale score range is 3-15—the higher the score, the less responsive the patient. A patient with a score of 3-8 is generally considered to be in a coma. Read more about HUS coma and the Glasgow Coma Scale.

As indicated above, if the seizures are not readily controlled, the HUS patient may be put into a medically-induced coma.

HUS Kidney Failure and Encephalopathy

Encephalopathy is a term used when there is brain disfunction or alteration. HUS encephalopathy is usually related to the uremia associated with HUS kidney failure (renal failure). When the kidneys fail, toxins the body should have excreted in urine get into the blood and circulate throughout the body. One of the areas most often damaged is the central nervous system (CNS). When uremia is the cause of the encephalopathy, it is called uremic encephalopathy, metabolic encephalopathy or toxic-metabolic encepalopathy.2

HUS Kidney Failure and Heart Problems

Kidney failure can affect heart function, leading to a heart attack and/or congestive heart failure. Even children with HUS are at risk.

Examples of HUS victims suffering heart problems:

  • A 13 year old girl presented with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) due to Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection. She died during the acute phase of the illness after an episode of unexplained sudden circulatory collapse. Postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of HUS and showed histological evidence of myocarditis manifested by the presence of inflammatory cell infiltration in the myocardium and around the conducting system.3
  • A 47-year-old woman presented with severe hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) followed by heart failure. . . This case indicates the importance of cardiac monitoring in HUS and the need for prolonged support.4

Read more about HUS heart attack and heart failure.

Free Consultation with Lawyer

HUS victims have legal rights, including the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life.

HUS InformationPritzker Olsen law firm represents people nationwide who develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after contracting an E. coli infection. The millions of dollars we have recovered for our clients has giving them financial security as they deal with their health problems and try to get on with their lives. To contact an E. coli lawyer for a free consultation, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the online consultation form.

Contact Pritzker Olsen

Resources:

1. Jörres, Achim, Management of Acute Kidney Problems, Springer, p. 201 (2009).
2. Jörres, Achim, Management of Acute Kidney Problems, p. 198.
3. Abu-Arafeh I, Gray E, Youngson G, Auchterlonie I, Russell G, Myocarditis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome, Arch Dis Child, Jan;72(1):46-7 (1995).
4. Alexopoulou, Alexandra, et. al, Dilated Cardiomyopathy during the Course of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, International Journal of Hematology, Volume 86, Number 4:333-336 (2007).

Keywords: HUS kidney failure, stroke, seizures, coma, encephalopathy, HUS renal failure, uremia, uremic poisoning, hemorrhagic stroke, CNS damage, wrongful death, E. coli O157:H7, hemolytic anemia, HUS and TTP, attorney, lawyer, E. coli HUS lawsuit.


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