Acute pancreatitis in Reye's syndrome: a fatal complication during intensive supportive care.

Acute pancreatitis was an unexpected complication during the course of intensive supportive management in five patients with Reye's syndrome. Four of the five patients died and one survived with transient neurologic deficits. Although corticosteroid therapy, fluid restriction, and hypothermia may have contributed to the development of this complication, acute pancreatitis may represent a severe manifestation of visceral metabolic dysfunction in Reye's syndrome.