Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute nephropathy are hallmarks of the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS).1 Though there have been reports of HUS occurring in families,2-6 we are unaware of previous reports of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure occurring simultaneously in parent and child.
Report of Cases.—Case 1.—A 31-year-old woman had been well until diarrhea and abdominal pain developed. Three days later, her stools became bloody, and she was admitted to the hospital.
Her initial hematocrit reading was 52%, and a few schistocytes were seen on blood smear. Platelets appeared adequate in number. The urine was concentrated, had ketones, but was otherwise normal. Her BUN and serum creatinine concentrations were 5.0 and 0.9 mg/dL, respectively. On the third hospital day, she became febrile, numerous purpuric lesions developed, and she became confused and lethargic. The platelet count fell to 40,000/cu mm, and the peripheral smear showed increased