hemolytic uremic syndrome

noun

: a rare disease that is marked by the formation of thrombi in the capillaries and arterioles especially of the kidney, that is characterized clinically by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and progressive kidney failure, that has several causes (such as infection with E. coli or the use of chemotherapeutic or immunosuppressant drugs), and that primarily affects infants and young children

—abbreviation HUS

Examples of hemolytic uremic syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These can include: Dehydration Bloody diarrhea Abdominal cramps Fever In rare cases, some people, especially older adults and children under 5, may develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. —The Courier-Journal, 3 Jan. 2024

These infections can result in complications including hemolytic uremic syndrome, a life-threatening disease that can cause kidney damage and failure. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 2 May 2023

One of the sickened infants, the one who nearly died, developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) from the bacterial infection, which is most common in young children. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 27 Apr. 2023

Children younger than 5, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop hemolytic uremic syndrome. —Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2021

For instance, one vaccinee in Germany has been diagnosed with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, another disease that can show up as widespread blood clotting and low platelet counts but that’s caused by damage to the endothelial lining of blood vessels. —Gretchen Vogel, Science | AAAS, 23 Mar. 2021

Shiga toxin can cause severe disease, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which affects eight people in this outbreak. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 26 Aug. 2022

Of those, 908 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening kidney complication, and 50 died, making the 2011 outbreak the most lethal bout of foodborne illness on record. —Mara Grunbaum, Discover Magazine, 4 Jan. 2012

About 5 to 10% of people diagnosed with an STEC infection develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening complication, the CDC says. —Wyatte Grantham-Philips, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hemolytic uremic syndrome

noun

: a rare disease that is marked by the formation of thrombi in the capillaries and arterioles especially of the kidney, that is characterized clinically by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and progressive kidney failure, that is precipitated by a variety of etiologic factors (as infection with Escherichia coli or Shigella dysenteriae), and that primarily affects infants and young children

—abbreviation HUS see thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura