Reye's syndrome

a rare disorder, of unknown cause, that affects children and seems to follow on from a viral infection such as CHICKENPOX , often manifesting itself during the recovery phase. The symptoms include vomiting, high fever, delirium, convulsions, leading to coma and death, the mortality rate being about 25 percent. Among those who survive, about half suffer some brain damage. It has been suggested that ASPIRIN may be implicated in the development of this condition, and this drug is not now recommended for children under the age of 12.