How To Treat And Prevent Reye's Syndrome

Watch Acetylsalicylic Acid In Children

Acetylsalicylic acid has been linked to Reye’s syndrome. Thus, one way to prevent this condition is to watch acetylsalicylic acid in children. Parents should never give acetylsalicylic acid to children under three years old, and they should avoid giving it to older children recovering from viral infections as well. They should always check the label of any over-the-counter medication, as acetylsalicylic acid can be an ingredient in many products. Parents should use ibuprofen or acetaminophen as safer alternatives to acetylsalicylic acid.

Some children have conditions like Kawasaki disease that require them to take acetylsalicylic acid as part of their treatment. In cases like these, parents should have their children vaccinated against chicken pox and influenza to reduce their chances of developing Reye’s syndrome.

Fatty acid oxidation disorders can also increase the risk of a child developing Reye’s syndrome, and children with known fatty acid oxidation disorders should never take acetylsalicylic acid. Some hospitals and clinics will screen newborns for such disorders.