for eMaxHealth
According to Reuters Jett Travolta, the actor John Travolta's son has died today of a seizure while the family was vacationing in Bahamas. CNN reports that Jett Travolta had a developmental disability that his parents, John Travolta and Kelly Preston, have linked to Kawasaki disease, an inflammatory disorder of the artery walls that most commonly occurs in young children and can lead to heart disease.
Wisconsin Department of Health has a fact sheet about what is Kawasaki Syndrome
Kawasaki syndrome is a fever causing illness of children. The cause of Kawasaki syndrome is unknown. Approximately 15 cases a year are reported in Wisconsin.
Who gets Kawasaki syndrome?
Most cases occur in infants and children under age five; the illness is rarely seen in children older than 8 years old.
How is Kawasaki syndrome spread?
Little is known about the way a person gets this syndrome or how it spreads. It does not appear to be transmitted from person to person.
What are the symptoms of Kawasaki syndrome?
All cases have a fever that does not respond to antibiotics. It lasts more than five days and is associated with a rash, swollen lymph nodes and red eyes, lips, throat and tongue. The rash is usually confined to the patient's trunk and is sometimes followed by a peeling of the skin on the hands and fingers.
Does past infection make a person immune?
Recurrences of the illness have been reported but they are extremely rare.
What is the treatment for Kawasaki syndrome?
Most patients are treated in the hospital where they can be closely watched. Aspirin and immune globulin are often prescribed.
What are the complications associated with Kawasaki syndrome?
The most frequent complication is coronary artery aneurysms (ballooning out of vessels in the heart). Other organs may become effected as well. Approximately 1-2 percent of cases die of the disease and its complications.
How can Kawasaki syndrome be prevented?
At the present time, preventive measures are unknown.
Our hearts go out to John Travolta's family during this very difficult time, and may God bless Jett.
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Comments
#1 jett travolta
Jett was an embarrassment to his parents and that is reason they kept him and his condition (whatever it was) from the public. I mean honestly John was a celebrity and how better to show he and his family were human beings instead of Gods (I say this because Ella was getting into movies too) than by sharing with other mere mortals that his son was suffering from (OH NO a mental illness).
#2 I agree with the ER Doc
I agree with the ER Doc completely.
What’s not at question here is the pain of this family and the tragic death of this child.
What is at question is that seizure is not indicated with Kawasaki Disease, nor are household cleaners with its on-set.
What is more likely scenario is that 1 in 4 adolescents with Autism develop seizure, and left untreated can lead to death.
Since the Scientology organization does not believe. . .
A. that the brain is an organ that can malfunction - just like the liver, kidney, pancreas etc
B. in Medical Psychiatry
C. in Psychotropic medication
D. subsequent Psychiatric disorders
Then this child would not have been on medication
If the death of this child has possibly been caused by non-scientific healthcare practices adhered to by Scientologists then the Travolta family may live with the fact that they inadvertently murdered their own child.
It's horrific.
#3 Jett's passing
Kelly and John the heart of our family goes out to you and your beautiful daughter. I Have always felt it is unnatural to bury your children before your self. Maybe it is God's way to remind us that our children are precious every day and we shold love them like it will be their last day. I'm sure Jett had a wonderful life and fantastic parents. Remember never to sell yourself short over something you sould have said or done with Jett. I think all parents have a tendency to do just that. I have made it 12 months, this December for the loss of someone very dear in my life and only now am I beginning to see and feel the sunlight again, Remember your son and morn for him as long as it takes, everyone if different. You will know when it will becomes easier. Take your time, it is good for your soul. I lean on my friends and I write letters to my love ones, this is my way and it helps me. You will find something that will help you also. I will keep you in my prayers.
My sincere thoughts for the trying days ahead,
Judi Davis
Wilmington NC
#4 Im wondering if he was on any meds, I hear if you are a
scientoligist, they dont believe in meds, is this true?
#5 Jett Travolta
No words can express the sorrow I have in my heart for the Travolta family at his time. May you find help through your faith and love for each other the strength to get through your loss. I can't imagine ever losing a child. May God bless you all. Linda
#6 The link
Many kids are diagnosed with Epilepsy at this age. Perhaps even if he didn't have kawasaki syndrome, it still would have happened. He's lucky he out grew it, as many teens do not.
I'm wondering why they use "a history of seizures" instead of the word Epilepsy.
#7 I'm so sorry for your loss ,
I'm so sorry for your loss , my prayers go out to you John , Kelly, and Ella Blu. No parent should go through what you're going through it breaks my heart to know that your son is gone i have a daughter the same age and i don't know what i would do hang in there my heart and prayers are with you .
Love
Maria FL
#8 Kawasaki Syndrome
From The Atlantic Weekly
I am a pediatric emergency room physician. We occasionally diagnose Kawasaki Disease (now properly called Kawasaki Syndrome) in young children. There are so many things wrong with the story of Jett's death that I am not sure where to start, but here's a try:
1) NO association between Kawasaki and "toxic carpet cleaning chemicals" (or any other environmental cause) has ever been established. Given that these chemicals are ubiquitous in our society, if there were an association I would expect Kawasaki to be much more common.
2) As far as I know, Kawasaki disease does not lead to brain injury or seizures. I suppose one could conjecture that if Jett had untreated heart problems from Kawasaki (which CAN happen) this could have led to a heart attack that led to seizures and death, but it sounds like Jett had seizures for a long time, which makes this a bit of a reach.
3) It would be incredibly rare to bump your head and die from a seizure.
We see children every day with seizures, and not once have I seen a child bump his head hard enough to have a brain injury from this. Of course, prolonged seizures or seizures that occur while doing something dangerous (driving, swimming, etc.) can lead to brain injury, but otherwise this is a stretch. Also, autistic children can exhibit self-injurious behavior, especially if untreated, and can exhibit behavior such as intentianally hitting their heads agains walls or other hard objects. It is much more likely that a head injury led to brain injury (the cause of death) and the seizure than the other way around.
4) For John Travolta (and the news media) to report that Jett died from either Kawasaki or a seizure is incredibly irresponsible. I gurantee you that we will see 30 children in our emergency department in the coming days whose parents have read this trash and are worried that their child is at risk for death from one of these causes, and every parent with a child who has a seizure disorder will now lose more sleep because of this BS.
I am eager to learn what the autopsy shows, but unfortunately I don't think the questions of autism or a seizure preceding death can be diagnosed at autopsy.
#9 What about Reye's syndrome?
If Jett did have Kawasaki's, isn't it very likely that he was treated with aspirin? Aspirin has been shown to cause Reye's syndrome in children.
Kawasaki's does not seem to cause a history of ongoing seizures or any direct brain damage. However, Reye's does effect the brain and can cause lasting damage such as learning disabilities, language difficulties, motor difficulties, etc. And these are some of the same symptoms associated with Autism!!
I'm not sure if Reye's could cause ongoing seizures, or a sort of acquired epilepsy, but it seems possible given the associated brain damage.
Just a thought...
All that really matters though, is that Jett tragically lost his life at a young age. My heart goes out to his family.
As a side note, I too find it very irresponsible for high profile media personalities to disseminate information that is so controversial. For example, someone like Cruise, who claims psychiatric medications to be unnecessary and some sort of medical propaganda, could cause severely depressed patients to forgo their medications when they are already ambivalent about adherence due to depression. Severely depressed people are at a highly increased risk of suicide.
To allow people to believe or to propagate Scientology as a cure-all for mental health problems is extremely irresponsible (especially among people that have the potential power to reach many others and create belief, i.e. actors). Many Christians commit suicide, many believers of other faiths do as well, yet their belief has not cured them of depression! How do Scientologists, then, believe that their belief will cure disorders? These are actors playing God.
#10 Kawasaki and seizures
My husband had a seizure disorder, however he did not have kawasaki syndrome. The reason I am posting a reply is due to the fact that my husband DIED in 2002, due to the lack of concern from an ER doctor. My husband had two seizures ( Grand Mal ) back to back...within minutes of each other. When this would happen, I would take him to the ER, for further treatment, normally 450 mg of IV DILANTIN. For some reason, during the 25 yrs of having this disorder, occasionaly my husband's medication would have to be changed, as his body would ABSORB the medications,thus resulting in more frequent seizures.
This ER was told this, he was told that we were in the process of having the medication CHANGED. My husband ( Terry ) was on dilantin and Depakote. He was to be switched from Dilantin to Keppra. However, this ER doctor chose to intimidate me, told me I didn't know what I was talking about etc. I begged him to just look at PRIOR records of my husbands, which I doubt if he did. Three nurses in that ER told this Dr. that I was not someone who was hysterical, and that my husband wasn't brought in to the ER on a REGULAR basis. ( In other words, if I thought he needed treatment, I would bring him in ASAP ! )
However, this ER doctor refused to comply with anything I said.....I finally called my husband's neurologist in Ann Arbor, and this Dr. told me to GET HIM OUT of that ER, and transfer him ASAP via helicopter to U OF M. I attempted to do so......although my husband had another seizure, and DIED within the ten minutes it took to order the helicopter.
My main comment here is that MORE DOCTORS should listen to their patients, and THEIR families ( the patients family ) THIS tragedy could have been avoided had this doctor LISTENED, and administered the 450 mg of IV dilantin. WHAT would it have hurt to do what I asked ? Of course it wasn't this DOCTOR's FAMILY that lost a loved one. As far as I am concerned this doctor should have lost his license. This was gross neglegence period. I lost a SOUL-MATE, and the most wonderful father for our children.
After this happened, I questioned a few Doctors that I knew, and they ALL said that they certainly would have LISTENED to me, done what I asked....plain and simple. NO one had any reason for WHY this doctor did not do as he was asked. ( HE was even asked to call the Neurologist if he had doubts as to my STORY.)
If you learn nothing else from this story, you as a doctor should learn above all things to listen to a chronically ill patients family. Please listen.....and perhaps a terrible tragedy could be avoided.
Thanks for letting me vent here.......I just find it important to let others know that people DO DIE from seizures, however sometimes it can ( and could have ) be avoided.