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Dr Shapiro completed his undergraduate education at UC San Diego earning a B S in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and a B A in Political Science He furthered his education at UCLA where he earned a Masters Degree in Public…
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Before I shed some light on Kawasaki disease, I would first like to share how saddened I was to hear of the loss of John Travolta and Kelly Preston's son just the other day. You see, I am one who believes a parent should never have to bury his own child as it defies a simple premise I have about life. And although there appears to be much speculation about the events surrounding Jett Travolta's death, this is something I will not comment on as nothing appears to be confirmed at the present time.
But something that has been confirmed and as each day passes, continues to receive more and more attention is the fact that Jett was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at an early age and may somehow be involved with his death. So what I'd like to do is share some key concepts about Kawasaki disease...something I wish the print and television media would have researched before leading the public in a potentially unnecessary direction about Jett's death.
What is Kawasaki disease? Well, historically, in the late 1960s, Dr. Kawasaki described a condition where children would have a febrile process associated with mucocutaneous (in this case, the lips), lymphoid and digital (i.e. fingers and toes) findings (please look just below for clarification of the specific characteristics now needed to diagnose Kawasaki disease). And although it was initially felt to be a benign and self-limiting condition, some deaths were found to be associated with this disease secondary to the inflammation of the coronary (i.e. heart) arteries.
So what is needed to make a diagnosis? The general consensus is that fever needs to last longer than 5 days and 4 of the following 5 clinical features must be present (but keep in mind there are atypical presentations as well):
- Extremity changes...redness and swelling
- A body rash
- Changes in the lips and mouth
- Bilateral injection/redness of the eyes
- Cervical lymph nodes found on one side of the neck.
Who typically gets this disease? Japan has a 10- to 20- times higher frequency of Kawasaki disease when compared to Western countries. In fact, per 100,000 children younger than 5 years of age, 90-112 cases occur in Japan as compared to 11-14 cases in the United States. There does appear to be a slight male predominance (for every 5 cases, approximately 3 are males) and over 90% of the cases occur in children less than 5 years of age.
What are the consequences of Kawasaki disease? Unfortunately, in the U.S., it is now the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children less than 5 years of age. If untreated, approximately 25% of patients can develop coronary aneurysms...which is ballooning of the arteries that feed and surround the heart. But for those treated with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) in an appropriate time period, only 5-10% develop these coronary aneurysms. But it is important to note, even if no aneurysms develop, other cardiac findings may occur. Usually, if death is to occur, it will typically be within 1.5 months after the febrile component of the illness. However, it is possible that the coronary sequelae may not become evident until many years later...when an acute myocardial infarct (AKA heart attack) occurs.
Is there any specific medicine to be used? As mentioned above, IVIG is given initially with aspirin for their anti-inflammatory properties. After fever resolution, then the aspirin is given for its anti-platelet activity.
And so what is the cause of Kawasaki disease? Unfortunately, no definitive etiology is known. Possibly infectious or possibly a specific immune response in those who may be genetically predisposed. But bottom line is we don't have all the answers just yet.
So for those looking for some clarification about Kawasaki disease, I hope this has helped.
And to the Travolta and Preston families, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Dr. Jeremy
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It's none of our business what they believe or not. That's a personal choice that they must answer to God for as we all must do. And Dr. Jeremy meant no harm in saying what he did. It was not directed to anyone of us here so why get upset? Humans are strange creatures. They take offense of things that were not meant for themselves. Sad indeed.
Thank you Dr. Jeremy for sharing this information on this disease. I had heard of it before but never knew alot like I do now.
My thoughts go out to John and Kelly.
We all share the Travolta's sadness. For some who believe death is a better place, it may be joy. For me being in the body, it was sadness when my son died at 21. I do not feel insulted by your comment. In fact, I felt you were reaching out to those of us who have buried a child. My son died by his own hands. He made a decision...and it sadden the family. That was 25 years ago. One woman whose son died from cancer said. "It must be so much harder to loose a child from suicide."
To which I said..the cause does not matter...usually the sadness is the same.I agree with the comment there is no bad or good about it. Still, there is sadness for me in the body. Thanks...namaste mlb
Its nothing to do with anybody ,but his family~~my thoughts and prayers are with them at this very sad time~ sharon (rocky7)
He could of died from a seizure even if he was taking medication so who are you to judge.
God Bless
His parent sdidn't believe in medicine.
that would kill me if I didn't take my seizure meds.
sarah
Mecry and gracy go with them. Love Becky
When I become ill I knew something was making me sick and for five years I was told by doctors that they didn’t know what was wrong with me or worse it’s all in your head. Well I found out and it was a medical procedure that caused mold to colonize in my body and later I found out I was also exposed to a sick building. The mold grew after they put a marker in my breast made partially with nickel. I am genetically sensitive to nickel and my guess is after it was placed my immune system couldn’t fight the infection I acquired during the biopsy. My MD who treats women with mold and bacteria on their breast implants says it was from unsanitary conditions. It is very common but conventional medicine denies it exists. Many women who are sick with these implants will be practically dead before they are treated for the mold and bacteria on these impants; all because breast implants are a billion dollar a year business.
During my research and I did a lot I found out about the plight of children and adults with Lyme disease. One of the things I found fascinating was that if you have mold illness or Lyme disease you may get diagnosed with FM, CFIDS, MS, Adrenal Insufficiency or Hypothyroidism. I have four of the above diseases and white spots of signal abnormality on my brain so I was headed for the MS diagnosis as well. Fortunately for me I wouldn’t give up and now I know how corrupt our medical system is in this country. They know what causes these diseases but for someone’s profits they are unwilling to treat. These are called political diseases.
In conclusion, I believe John and Kelly had the answer. Their son was poisoned from the toxins in the carpet cleaner used prior to their son getting sick. Do I think we will ever get any studies on this? No I don’t and I think we are living in a toxic environment and more and more people are getting sick from it and more and more people are becoming activists like me because I’m appalled at the statistics for Autism, Lyme disease, mold illness and cancer and being told by our healthcare professions – we don’t know why you are sick.
I have heard carpet cleaner can be linked to this disease...not sure if that is true or not.