hemolytic uremic syndrome

noun

: a rare disease that is marked by the formation of thrombi in the capillaries and arterioles especially of the kidney, that is characterized clinically by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and progressive kidney failure, that has several causes (such as infection with E. coli or the use of chemotherapeutic or immunosuppressant drugs), and that primarily affects infants and young children

—abbreviation HUS

Examples of hemolytic uremic syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In some cases, people became severely ill with hemolytic uremic syndrome — or kidney failure. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024

One older adult in Colorado has died, and another individual developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure, the CDC said. —Jenna Anderson, Health, 23 Oct. 2024

One of those patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. —Nate Chute, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Feb. 2024

While most people recover from an E. coli infection within a week, a rare type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome can affect 5 to 10 percent of people infected with certain strains of the bacteria. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hemolytic uremic syndrome

noun

: a rare disease that is marked by the formation of thrombi in the capillaries and arterioles especially of the kidney, that is characterized clinically by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and progressive kidney failure, that is precipitated by a variety of etiologic factors (as infection with Escherichia coli or Shigella dysenteriae), and that primarily affects infants and young children

—abbreviation HUS see thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura