Epidemiology

A total of 1207 cases of Reye syndrome were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 1980 and 1997.[5] The peak incidence occurred in 1980, with 555 cases reported. The incidence has steadily declined since 1980, possibly due to overdiagnosis in previous years, improved metabolic testing, lower prevalence of influenza, and a decline in pediatric aspirin consumption. Since 1994, there have been 2 or fewer cases reported per year in the US. The 2009 incidence is thought to be between <0.3 and 1.0/100,000 in people <18 years old.[6][7][8] The exact incidence is difficult to establish because reporting cases of Reye syndrome to the CDC is no longer mandated.[9]

Of the 1207 cases of Reye syndrome reported to the CDC between 1980 to 1997, 93% occurred in white patients; 5% of patients were black, 2% were Asian, and 0.3% were Native American or Native Alaskan.[5] There was no sex predilection. Peak age of incidence was between 5 and 14 years, with a median of 6 years and a mean of 7 years.[5] Antecedent viral illness during the three week period prior to onset of Reye syndrome, most commonly respiratory, was reported in 93% of patients (n=1080) for whom data was available (n=1160).[5] An increase in the number of cases in the US was found during the months of December through April, which correlated with the peak occurrences of most viral respiratory infections.[5] Since the 1990s, this seasonal association has diminished. Globally, a seasonal predominance has not been found.[5]

Reye syndrome rarely occurs in children <1 year old or in those ages >18 years old.[5][10]

In the UK and Ireland, 264 cases of Reye syndrome were reported between 1981 and 1985; only 5 cases were reported between 1996 and 1997.[11][6][12] Reye syndrome is a rare diagnosis in continental Europe and Asia.[6]

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