In a study released early by the New England Journal of Medicine because of its potential therapeutic implications, UW researchers found that antibiotic treatment of children with E. coli O157:H7 infection increases the risk of hemolytic-uremic syndrome.
Researchers at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center led by Craig S. Wong, senior fellow in pediatrics, and Phillip I. Tarr, professor of pediatrics, conducted a cohort study of 71 children under the age of 10. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome developed in 5 of the 9 children given antibiotics, compared to 5 of the 62 children who were not given antibiotics. According to the study, factors significantly associated with hemolytic-uremic syndrome were a higher initial white-cell count, stool culture soon after the onset of diarrhea (perhaps indicating a more fulminant course of illness that prompted an early evaluation), and treatment with antibiotics.
Hemolytic-uremic syndrome can sometimes occur after a gastrointestinal tract infection. It is marked by destruction of red blood cells, kidney failure and damage to the lining of blood vessel walls.
The final version of the study will be published in the June 29 issue.
May 26, 2000