Haemolytic uraemic syndrome

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is the most common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children. It is categorized by a triad of clinical features, haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and AKI. HUS is subdivided into two broad categories, diarrhoea positive HUS (more than 90% of cases) most commonly caused by Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (also called verotoxin) and the less common diarrhoea negative HUS. HUS is initiated by intestinal colonization with Stx-producing bacteria. HUS results in widespread thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in renal glomeruli, the gastrointestinal tract, the brain, and the pancreas. The aim of this review is to summarise the latest developments in our understanding of this condition, focussing on epidemiology, pathophysiology and disease course.