Prognostic factors in the hemolytic-uremic syndrome

During 1972-1986, 142 children with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome were treated. Most of them were infants (73%). The total mortality rate reached 25.4%. Computer analysis revealed the following risk factors of a fatal outcome : severe gastrointestinal symptoms during the prodromal period, coma, convulsions, malignant hypertension, persistence of prodromal symptoms over 7 days, hyperkalemia over 7 mmol/l, acidosis with bicarbonate level less than 15 mmol/l, a delay of over 5 days in starting dialysis, and transport to dialysis unit of over 100 km