Oregon Boy, 5, Dies of Rare Clarkson's Disease After 5 Days in Hospital
Updated
Updated · Good Morning America · Jul 23
Oregon Boy, 5, Dies of Rare Clarkson's Disease After 5 Days in Hospital
3 articles · Updated · Good Morning America · Jul 23
Summary
Justin, a 5-year-old from Colorado, died July 8 after falling ill during a family trip to Oregon and spending five days in the hospital.
Systemic capillary leak syndrome — also called Clarkson's disease — was the final diagnosis after doctors initially suspected appendicitis or infection when he developed stomach pain, vomiting, inflammation and fluid buildup.
Less than 500 cases have been reported worldwide since the 1960s, and the disorder is especially rare in children; it causes fluid to leak from capillaries, triggering dangerous drops in blood pressure.
Justin's father, Viet Vu, said he is sharing the case to warn parents about what he called an invisible disease with brief, nonspecific symptoms that can resemble common illness or infection.