No Link Between Kawasaki, Travolta Death

Childhood Kawasaki Disease Unlikely Cause Of Seizures In Travolta's Teenage Son Jett Travolta

(WebMD)  Jett Travolta's childhood brush with Kawasaki disease is highly unlikely to have caused the seizures that may have led to his death, a
Kawasaki expert tells WebMD.

Jett Travolta, the 16-year-old son of actors John Travolta and Kelly Preston, died on Jan. 2. The teen, known to have suffered frequent seizures, struck his head against the bathtub in the hotel where his family was staying, according to media reports.

Kawasaki disease is a mysterious and frightening illness. Might Kawasaki disease have caused Jett Travolta's seizures?

WebMD asked Kawasaki disease expert Nathan Litman, MD, chief of infectious disease and director of pediatrics at New York's Montefiore Medical Center.

"I am unaware of any association of Kawasaki disease with seizures," Litman tells WebMD.

Kawasaki disease can leave a person with an abnormally narrow coronary artery, and this can lead to a future heart attack. Early reports suggest Jett Travolta did not suffer a heart attack; an autopsy is under way.

Kawasaki Disease: Mysterious Ailment on the Rise

Nobody knows what causes Kawasaki disease, but it can be deadly. It's not common in the U.S., although incidence is increasing in Japan.

First described in Japanese medical literature by pediatrician Tomisaku
Kawasaki, MD, the disease is a disease of childhood. Litman says 80% of cases occur in children under 5. Cases are very rare in anyone over the age of 10.

John Travolta has said in interviews that his son had Kawasaki disease when he was about 2 years old. In an interview with CNN's Larry King in 2001, Travolta expressed the opinion that the illness was brought on by Jett's overexposure to cleaning products, particularly carpet cleaner.

Science has yet to discover the cause, although most researchers think it's an infectious agent, probably a virus.

That would account for why it strikes early in life, why most cases occur in the winter, and why there are Kawasaki outbreaks. But an infectious agent would likely spread in families, and Litman says it's rare to see more than one child in a family come down with Kawasaki disease.

The classic symptom of Kawasaki disease - technically known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome - is a high fever lasting for five days or longer. Other symptoms include:

Pinkeye (conjunctivitis ) in both eyes, but without purulent
discharge.

Redness of the lips, tongue, and lining of the mouth. Lips are often cracked or bleeding.

A swollen cervical lymph node larger than 1.5 millimeters in diameter.

A red rash on the body, which may be flat or bumpy and which may have different patterns.

Changes in the extremities: swollen hands and feet with redness of the palms and soles. In the second week of illness, there may be peeling of the skin starting around the fingernails and extending to the arms.

Kawasaki disease is diagnosed when a child has five days of high fever and any four of the five symptoms listed above.

There may be other troublesome features, Litman says: swelling of the gallbladder, diarrhea, and painful swelling of the joints. But the scariest thing about Kawasaki disease is its possible effects on the heart.

Kawasaki Disease and Heart Trouble

"The most troublesome feature of Kawasaki disease is involvement of the heart," Litman says. "What worries everyone is that in the convalescent phase, about 10 days into the illness, there may be inflammation of the coronary arteries, which can result in aneurysm formation. This can cause turbulence throughout the artery and cause [narrowing] of the artery, which could cause a heart attack."

If not treated, one in five children with Kawasaki disease would get coronary aneurysms. Fortunately, treatment cuts this risk to about one in 20.

Treatment involves a high dose of immune globulin and a high-dose aspirin until the fever goes down. Once the fever goes away, the child's aspirin dose is reduced and doctors perform an echocardiogram to check for heart abnormalities.

"This generally results in a return to a happy state," Litman says.
"In kids who do develop aneurysms, some may resolve, but this may still be a forerunner of adult-type coronary artery disease. They may be left with residual stenosis [narrowing of a heart artery] that can cause a future heart attack."

So if Kawasaki disease didn't cause Jett Travolta's seizures, what did?
Seizures are the result of an electrical storm in a part of the brain. Some people simply develop frequent seizures for no apparent reason. Sometimes the cause is a trauma, infection, or tumor.

Media reports have suggested that Jett Travolta may have suffered from autism. The Church of Scientology, of which his parents are members, does not believe that autism is a valid diagnosis, and the Travolta family has rejected the idea that Jett had autism.

However, among children diagnosed with autism, there is a high prevalence of seizure disorder.

[gifthorsie]

Interesting to know Kawasaki does not cause seizures. I hope he was getting seizure meds. Such a sad story. I feel very sorry for the family.
theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com

[peetrerb]

I''m sure no-one suspects foul play. whether he had Kawasaki or not... he had problems. Whether you think Scientology is nuts... its another form of religion. I can''t believe the bright people that join it. Let''s all get on the Jimmy Jones cruise!

[avigil2]

I concur with betnblonde. Let them grieve in privacy. You would want the same.

[litlrig]

The Travolta family has just lost a child, I think the media should take a step back and give the family time to grieve their loss.

[centerfall94]

This isn''t a news story. Someone is REALLY bored.

[rmonroe401]

DavisRogers,

I am confused by your comment, Daniel DeNoon is the author of this news story, so what do you mean by gossip since you are thanking the author of the story?

[rmonroe401]

liselle3,

I think it is the public''s business only because a minor was involved. We must protect children since they do not have the power or ability to stand up for themselves. I don''t think turning a blind eye in this cause is at all appropriate. If this poor boy was not given the proper medical treatment of his ailments then the parents should be responsible, whether the parents are famous or just some ordinary citizen. It shouldn''t matter the status of the parents, they should be responsible for their children. This reminds me of cases where extremist religious types refuse to take their children to the hospital or doctor when they are sick since they believe Jesus will come down and cure them. It''s child abuse in my opinion! I am not saying the Travolta''s did this, but it is possible and should be investigated at the least.

[cbscrash072]

Kawasaki disease causes five days of high fever. Thats where your seizures and autism came from.

[rmonroe401]

For those who are against Scientology I would like to ask what religion you practice is you even have a religion.

Posted by LadyLuv5

Scientology is not a religion, its the result of bad science fiction writing. Its more like a disease itself. It affects the logical thinking part of the brain, kinda like a brain disorder. Because anyone who believes a guy who at one time said that he wanted to make millions off of a false religion must have some form of a brain injury.

[liselle3]

You know what folks? The private matter of losing a son in such a heartbreaking way is a matter for this family not for public debate. You can debate all you want, but until you are a direct member of the Travolta family, it is simply none of your business.