D59.3: Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome

You have a condition where many small blood clots are formed. You have kidney damage as a result.

Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. Platelets are important for blood clotting.

The disorder involves blood platelets clustering in blood vessels and forming blood clots. These blood clots can partly or entirely block small blood vessels. Blood vessels transport the blood from the heart to the different tissues and organs in the body, and back again. In so doing, they provide the tissue and organs with oxygen and nutrients, and remove waste substances.

The disorder involves blood clots forming in the kidneys. There are normally 2 kidneys in the body. They filter blood and create urine. They thus help to detoxify the body. Furthermore, the kidneys regulate the blood pressure and salt content in the blood, among other things.

When blood clots form in the kidneys, the blood supply to the kidneys becomes insufficient. So the kidneys are only able to work to a limited degree. As a result, you may only pass a small amount of urine or even none at all. Too much fluid may then remain in the body. This fluid can accumulate in the legs, for example. Substances may also accumulate in the body which are normally excreted along with the urine. These accumulated substances can damage the body. In that case, you may be seriously ill.

With the disorder, blood clots can also block the small blood vessels in various other parts of the body. This can affect the brain or heart, for example.

If a lot of small blood clots form in the body, the platelets in the blood are increasingly used up. Having too few platelets in the blood can cause bleeds in the skin, for example. These bleeds in the skin are visible as small red spots.

The disorder can also involve damage to the red blood cells. The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Damaged red blood cells get broken down too early. If a lot of red blood cells get broken down too early, the blood is no longer able to transport as much oxygen. This can mean, for example, that you’re exhausted more quickly or you have difficulty breathing.

The disorder can be caused by certain pathogens that also cause diarrhea. Hereditary factors, other illnesses and medications can also favor the disorder.