Haemolytic uremic syndrome surveillance in children less than 15\xa0years in Belgium, 2009\u20132015

S Jacquinet,K Van Hoeck,K De Rauw,D Pierard,N Godefroid,L Collard,M Sabbe

doi:10.1186/s13690-018-0289-x

Abstract

BackgroundThe Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is the most severe manifestation of infection with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). In Belgium, the surveillance of paediatric HUS cases is conducted by a sentinel surveillance network of paediatricians called Pedisurv. In this article, we present the main findings of this surveillance from 2009 to 2015 and we describe an annual incidence of HUS.MethodsFor each case of HUS < 15 years notified by the paediatricians, clinical, microbiological and epidemiological data were collected by a questionnaire. National hospital discharge data with ICD-9 code 283.11 were used to calculate the incidence of HUS in children < 15 years.ResultsFrom 2009 to 2015, 110 cases were notified to the Pedisurv network with a mean annual notification rate of 0.8/100,000 in children < 15 years. Death occurred in 2.5% of all patients and the median number of days of hospitalization was 10 days. One third (35.4%) of the HUS cases were confirmed positive STEC, with a majority of STEC O157. The mean annual incidence based on the hospital discharge data was 3.2/100,000 in children < 15 years and 4.5/100,000 in children < 5 years.ConclusionThe incidence of paediatric HUS in Belgium is high compared to other European countries. Its surveillance in Belgium is quite comprehensive and, although less effective than monitoring all STEC infections to detect the emergence of outbreaks, is important to better monitor circulation of the most pathogenic STEC strains. In this context, efforts are still needed to send samples and STEC strains from HUS cases to the National Reference Centre.

Highlights

The Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is the most severe manifestation of infection with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)
We present the main findings of this surveillance from 2009 to 2015, and we describe an annual incidence of HUS based on this network and on hospital discharge data
The high incidence in Belgium can be explained by the methodology of this study: in Belgium, hospital discharge data are initially used by hospitals to receive state funding and because HUS is a serious condition, it is likely all cases are recorded

Summary

Introduction

The Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is the most severe manifestation of infection with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), characterised by a triad of haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure, is the most severe manifestation of infection with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) [1]. Non-HUS, less frequent, can be caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae infection or methyl-malonic aciduria or can be atypical HUS (aHUS). This form of HUS occurs at any age, and may be sporadic or familial and a clear link has been demonstrated with genetic abnormalities in complement regulatory genes [2, 7]

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