reye's syndrome: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (medical/technical term)Medical/Technical
Quick answer
What does “reye's syndrome” mean?
A rare but serious medical condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain, primarily affecting children and teenagers recovering from viral infections, especially when aspirin has been administered.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rare but serious medical condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain, primarily affecting children and teenagers recovering from viral infections, especially when aspirin has been administered.
A potentially fatal acute encephalopathy and fatty liver degeneration, recognized as a distinct medical syndrome. It is of significant concern in paediatric medicine due to its rapid progression and the importance of preventive measures regarding medication use in children.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant linguistic differences in usage. Both regions use the same term with identical spelling and meaning.
Connotations
Identical strong negative medical connotation, associated with paediatric emergency and iatrogenic risk (linked to aspirin use).
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to medical discourse. Public health awareness campaigns have used the term in both countries.
Grammar
How to Use “reye's syndrome” in a Sentence
Patient + develop/be diagnosed with + Reye's syndromeReye's syndrome + be linked to/associated with + aspirin useReye's syndrome + cause + encephalopathy/liver failureVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reye's syndrome” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Reye's syndrome awareness
- a Reye's syndrome diagnosis
American English
- Reye's syndrome patient
- Reye's syndrome research
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Potential rare mention in pharmaceutical liability or public health policy contexts.
Academic
Used in medical, nursing, pharmacology, and public health research, textbooks, and journals.
Everyday
Rarely used. May be encountered on medication warning labels (e.g., 'Do not give to children due to risk of Reye's syndrome') or in parental health advice.
Technical
The primary context. Used in clinical diagnoses, medical records, paediatric guidelines, and epidemiological reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reye's syndrome”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reye's syndrome”
- Misspelling: 'Reyes syndrome' (confusion with Spanish surname), 'Rey's syndrome', 'Reye syndrome' (though this variant is sometimes accepted).
- Mispronunciation: /riːz/ instead of /raɪz/.
- Incorrect use as a general term for any child's illness or adverse drug reaction.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact cause is unknown, but it is strongly associated with the use of aspirin (salicylates) to treat viral infections like chickenpox or flu in children and teenagers.
No, Reye's syndrome itself is not contagious. However, it often follows a viral infection, which may be contagious.
There is no specific cure. Treatment is supportive and focuses on reducing brain swelling, managing complications, and providing intensive care to support vital organ function.
It is extremely rare, but cases have been reported in adults. The condition predominantly affects children and teenagers.
A rare but serious medical condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain, primarily affecting children and teenagers recovering from viral infections, especially when aspirin has been administered.
Reye's syndrome is usually medical/technical in register.
Reye's syndrome: in British English it is pronounced /ˈraɪz ˌsɪndrəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈraɪz ˌsɪndroʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember the link: REYE's syndrome is a RARE, serious REACTION in children, RISKing brain and liver, often after a viral infection when given aspirin. Think: Rare + Eyes (on the child) + Yes, it's serious.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICAL CONDITION IS A THIEF (it steals health rapidly); IATROGENIC RISK IS A HIDDEN TRAP.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'Reye's syndrome' MOST appropriately used?