After being hospitalized last Friday, Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell’s 6-year-old son has been diagnosed with A-Typical Kawasaki Disease, an inflammation of the arteries that typically afflicts children.
On Brian’s official, the singer posted the following message:
On Saturday December 20, 2008, Baylee T W Littrell was released from Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Atlanta.
Before being admitted Baylee had been treated for or thought to have had strep throat, hand, foot, mouth disease and erythema multiforme. After receiving a biopsy, blood tests, an EKG and 2 echocardiograms, Baylee was finally diagnosed with A-Typical Kawasaki Disease. We would like to stress A-Typical because Baylee did not have text book symptoms of any of the viruses they thought he had.
Kawasaki Disease causes inflammation in the coronary arteries as well as the walls of the small and medium sized arteries throughout the body. Unfortunately, Baylee’s coronary arteries were affected. He received an IVIG, which is a treatment to bring down the inflammation in his coronary arteries. Baylee will be closely monitored for the next 6-8 weeks by a Pediatric Cardiologist to see if the treatment was effective.
We want to thank every one who prayed for us as well as all of the emails and phone calls. Your love and support means so much to our family. The Hospital Staff were absolutely amazing. They made an extremely difficult time in our lives as comfortable as possible.
We are humbled by the love and compassion that people have for our son all over the world, thank you!
Although Kawasaki Disease is not believed to be hereditary, Brian, himself, has battled coronary disease, undergoing open-heart surgery 10 years ago to correct a congenital problem. He has formed a charity, the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids, to “educate children and their families regarding the benefits of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.”
