Boy, 10, is left blind after horrific reaction to over-the-counter ibuprofen
Over a period of just five days, he went from perfectly healthy to desperately ill - his left lung collapsed, his skin melted and he went into a state of septic shock
A 10-YEAR-old boy has been left almost completely blind after suffering a rare reaction to an over-the-counter pain killer.
Nearly three years after taking ibuprofen - branded Motrin in the US - little Xander remains seriously ill.
He developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a life-threatening skin condition that causes the skin layers to separate as cells die off.
The condition is usually caused by an extreme reaction to medication and affects the skin and mucus membranes.
Xander is unable to produce saliva and finds it difficult to eat.
He also has to wear sunglasses when outside or under bright lights, or what little remains of his vision will be permanently damaged.
And he's suffered long-lasting damage to his lungs and is forced to rely on a nebuliser three times a day to aid his breathing.
Xander was given the painkiller Motrin, a brand name for ibuprofen in the US, when he was suffering a fever.
So extreme was his reaction, his mum described it as him "burning from the inside out".
Over a period of just five days, he went from being a perfectly healthy 10-year-old to desperately ill and fighting for his life.
His left lung collapsed, his skin melted and he went into a state of septic shock as blood poisoning took over his body, his mum recalled.
Laura Cabales, 42 who used to work in a bank, said when her son was at his lowest point doctors had to physically stitch a breathing tube to the inside of his mouth because his skin was "melting away" so rapidly.
Laura, from Hawaii, said: “Touching his skin was like swiping an iPhone.
“The lightest touch would see layers of it come off in your hand.
“He was blistering, peeling, burning from the inside out. It was devastating.”
Her son’s ordeal started with a simple fever, common in children.
Laura and her husband, military worker, Ronnie, 42, were relatively unconcerned and gave him Motrin to soothe him.
The fever vanished, but a few hours later it returned, worse than before.
He was blistering, peeling, burning from the inside out. It was devastating.
Laura Cabales - Xander's mum
His temperature soared to 40.5C and he was lethargic, with discharge streaming from his eyes.
Concerned, his mum and dad rushed him to Tripler Medical Center Hospital in Honolulu, near their home.
As his condition worsened, Xander’s behaviour became aggressive and he was admitted to casualty.
Before his parents’ horrified eyes, he deteriorated.
Diagnosed with a series of medical complaints, including a collapsed lung, acute respiratory distress syndrome and bacterial pneumonia, his time was running out.
Laura said: “Doctors said he was the sickest patient they had.
“He was dying. His skin blistered and burnt and he developed lesions on his body.
“We were told he had Stevens-Johnson syndrome and he was taken to the bigger Kapiolani Hospital, also in Honolulu, and put in an induced coma so he could recover.”
On life support, Xander spent the next three weeks unconscious.
Finally, after being pumped full of antibiotics, he started to respond to treatment and come round.
More than a month after developing the fever, he woke up.
But he still had a mountain to climb.
Laura added: “He could barely lift his head.
“He’d loved school, but couldn’t go anymore.
“He was still in hospital and would beg to be back in class, learning maths, which is his favourite subject.”
In August 2014, finally allowed home, he was delighted to be reunited with his brothers, Jaiden, now 13, and Tyce, now four.
“He worked really hard to recover,” his mum said.
“He’d say, ‘Can I please go to school just for an hour.’”
What is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a rare but serious disorder that affects the skin, mucous membrane, genitals and eyes.
The mucous membrane is the soft layer of tissue that lines the digestive system from the mouth to the anus, as well as the reproductive organs and eyeballs.
It is usually caused by an unpredictable adverse reaction to certain medications. It can also sometimes be caused by an infection.
The syndrome often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a red or purple rash that spreads and forms blisters. The affected skin eventually dies and peels off.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a medical emergency that requires treatment in hospital, often in intensive or a burns unit.
Symptoms:
- feeling generally unwell
- high temperature
- joint pain
- a cough
- a rash that looks like a target
- facial swelling
- crusty sores and blistering
Treatment:
Hospital treatment is required immediately.
Treatment while in hospital may include:
- strong painkillers
- cold compress against the skin
- moisturising affected skin
- fluid replacement
- antibiotics
- eye drops and ointment
Now, nearly three years after his ordeal started, Xander is much better.
But the long-term impact of his illness has been significant.
Laura said: “It’s been a difficult transition for him.
“He doesn’t produce saliva anymore and the tiny hairs on the inside of his lungs have gone.
“This means he can’t effectively cough and clear any mucus or fluid.
“He’s effectively blind, whereas once he had 20/20 sight.
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“He is photophobic, so can’t stand bright lights, and needs sunglasses all the time.
“He’s been bullied for this, but we are full of admiration for our brave boy and think he looks cool.”
A spokesman from Johnson and Johnson, who make Motrin, said: “As the makers of Motrin products, we are committed to providing consumers with safe and effective over-the-counter medicines.
“Over decades and millions of uses, ibuprofen has proven safe and effective when used as directed.
“We are sympathetic to the pain and hardships suffered by anyone affected by Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.”
The family were supported by charities the Kapiolani Health Foundation and the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation.
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