Platelet aggregating factor in the epidemic form of hemolytic-uremic syndrome in childhood.

Plasma from six out of eleven children with the epidemic forms of hemolytic-uremic syndrome caused the aggregation of homologous platelets as has been described in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. IgG purified from normal adults inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by plasma collected from three children during the acute phase of the disease. This inhibition by IgG may contribute to the reported successful management by infusions of plasma or plasma exchanges.