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A 5-year-old's stomachache was the first sign of rare, deadly disease
USA Today • • general
Key Points:
- A 5-year-old boy named Justin Vu died from Clarkson's disease, an extremely rare and sudden health condition, while on a family vacation in Oregon in early July.
- Clarkson's disease, also called systemic capillary leak syndrome, causes plasma to leak from blood vessels, leading to hypovolemic shock, organ failure, and potentially death if untreated.
- The disease is very rare, with about 300 adult cases recorded since 1958 and only 30 pediatric cases since 1995, making diagnosis difficult due to its rarity and symptom overlap with other illnesses.
- Justin initially showed symptoms like stomachache and vomiting, and despite emergency care and life support, he passed away on July 8 surrounded by family.
- There is no known cure for Clarkson's disease, but treatments such as intravenous immunoglobulin can help manage and prevent future episodes; awareness and early diagnosis remain challenging, especially in children.
