Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy: is it really a new entity?

Haemorrhagic shock encephalopathy syndrome in the British Isles

The aetiopathogenesis of haemorrhagic shock encephalopathy syndrome (HSES) remains unclear and after concern that a novel environmental agent was the cause, the British Paediatric Association and the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre in 1983 initiated surveillance of this condition in the British Isles. After 1986 cases were ascertained via the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit 'active' reporting scheme; this report presents the findings for 1985-8. Sixty five patients were reported, of whom 52 satisfied the criteria for inclusion. Of those whose outcome was known, 24 (46%) died, 18 had severe neurological damage, and six survived apparently intact. Epidemiological features of note were: the median age of 15 weeks (range 3-140); statistically significant clustering of admission times suggesting a peak onset period at night; lack of geographic clusters, of secular trends and, except for a slight excess in winter months, of seasonality. Clinical and pathological features followed a highly consistent pattern, suggesting that HSES is an individual clinical entity distinguishable from conditions with similar presentations, such as septicaemia and Reye's syndrome. There was no microbiological or epidemiological evidence to support the emergence of a novel environmental agent. Many of the features of HSES were, however, the same as those described in heat stroke and we suggest that the two conditions are the same even though there is usually no history of overt overheating.

Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome

Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome (HSES) is a devastating symptom complex that affects previously healthy infants and is associated with significant mortality and neurologic morbidity. The syndrome was first reported less than ten years ago, and there continues to be debate regarding whether HSES actually represents a distinct clinical entity or instead is a manifestation of heat illness, occult sepsis or endotoxic shock, or perhaps toxic ingestion. Nevertheless, the signs and symptoms described as HSES present in a typical fashion in the emergency department with sudden onset of shock, encephalopathy, seizures, and coagulopathy. Even with the initiation of intensive support in the ED, the outcome is probably dismal. We describe a case of HSES and review the presentation, proposed etiologies, and management of this catastrophic illness.