National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Hemolytic uremic syndrome

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I was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome as an infant. I developed kidney and heart failure and received several blood transfusions. At the age of 15 I was put on blood pressure medication. Is kidney disease/dialysis part of the long-term outlook for people who were affected by this condition as a child?

With proper management, most children who develop hemolytic uremic syndrome and its complications recover without permanent damage to their health.[1]

However, children with hemolytic uremic syndrome may have serious and sometimes life-threatening complications, including:[1]

Some children may sustain significant kidney damage that slowly develops into chronic kidney disease (CKD). Children who develop CKD must receive treatment to replace the work the kidneys do, either through dialysis or kidney transplantation.[1]

Last updated: 1/3/2015

We hope this information is helpful. We strongly recommend you discuss this information with your doctor. If you still have questions, please contact us.

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GARD Information Specialist

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  1. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in Children. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghourse (NKUDIC). October 1, 2014; http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/childkidneydiseases/hemolytic_uremic_syndrome/. Accessed 1/3/2015.