Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (E coli) 0157 is associated with a clinical spectrum of conditions including an asymptomatic infection, non-bloody diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis and, in up to 9% of patients, haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).1 2 HUS has high morbidity and mortality.3 4 Identification of risk factors that could determine the development of HUS at an early stage of E coli 0157 infection would be very helpful in the management of these children. Leucocytosis is reported to be a reliable early risk factor for predicting progression to HUS.5

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