Encephalopathy and fatty infiltration of the viscera (Reye-Johnson syndrome): a 17-year experience.

Reye-Johnson syndrome was found in 17 patients in a retrospective study of 235 children with acute encephalopathy seen at the Mayo Clinic in the period 1955 through 1971. Eight of the nine patients under 4 years of age developed the syndrome prior to 1968; eight children 10 to 15 years of age acquired the disorder from 1968 through 1971. Seven patients were admitted during the month of February. Prodromal symptoms preceded the encephalopathy in 13 patients. Eight patients had seizures. Progressive deterioration with brainstem signs led to death in 15 patients. Electroencephalographic findings correlated well with the clinical course and eventual outcome. However, no correlation was found between seizure activity and the electroencephalogram. Autopsy findings in 14 cases included cerebral edema, tonsillar herniation, hypoxic neuronal degeneration, and fatty inflitration of the liver and kidneys.