Hepatic encephalopathy and Reye's syndrome.

The encephalopathy of Reye's syndrome is a potentially reversible, treatable problem in many cases. Treatment requires (1) accurate, early diagnosis; (2) the prevention of anoxia; (3) the restitution of body glycogen stores through the administration of glucose; (4) the control of the complicating cerebral edema; (5) the avoidance of counterproductive treatment measures, such as the unwarranted infusion of sodium bicarbonate and the inappropriate use of respiratory depressing anticonvulsants; and (6) the early and aggressive use of exchange transfusion.