Comments on: Keeping Your Children Safe From Sudden Death?

By: Debbie Noojin

Debbie Noojin — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:03:38 +0000

Cancer,
I have found the Gerson Institute dealing with organic Vegatables and fruits to be one of the best
alternative treatments I have seen. People do not know about this and it should be put out there.
I have a friend stage 3 melanonma that was cured in two weeks after visiting the institute and another with liver cancer sent home to die that is 15yrs cancer free. Youtube has some outstanding videos on Gerson Therapy that are eye opening. I totally believe in organic
and what god has put on earth that can make a difference.

By: jamie barrera

jamie barrera — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:04:36 +0000

have you heard of sjs/tens? What is expected as a child with tens grows up

By: Karen Zilinski

Karen Zilinski — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:02:10 +0000

Each of these articles touches my heart as my 11 year old daughter became a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. Janet was a seemingly healthy child who was cleared for participation in activities after a standard physical. There were no warning signs. She collapsed while jogging a lap at cheerleading practice and was the picture of health her whole life – including the day of her SCA. It took two years for us to find out that she had a rare congenital defect called bilateral hyoplasia of the right and left circumflex coronary arteries. We believe in cardiac screenings, but we also believe that Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) should be in all schools and youth sporting events. We are currently advocating for Janet’s Law in NJ which would require this. Thank you for letting me comment.
Sincerely,
Karen Zilinski

By: Pam

Pam — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:57:22 +0000

I know of one country, Algeria (there may be more), that requires the youth to get cardiograms and releases from a cardiologist before they are allowed to participate in soccer.

Maybe the same regulation should be used here in the US.

By: laura

laura — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:55:33 +0000

i have three children that play sports for the school system. i believe that chidlren need to have a more indepth physical. especially for football. these children play in extreme conditions, in full gear and few water breaks. the standards need to be a little higher for the safety of our children

By: Dave Mahan

Dave Mahan — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:34:15 +0000

While there is no way to prevent one hundred percent of these tragic deaths, all schools should employ at least one certified athletic trainer (ATC). These are the health care professionals who deal with sport-related injuries and disorders. How many young student-athletes have to die before school systems invest in certified athletic trainers?

By: Jennifer Martin

Jennifer Martin — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:53:07 +0000

I am a friend of the family of the scout who passed away in the Big Cypress Swamp on Saturday. It is a tragedy that no one understands. The hike was a 20 miles, not 7.7 as erroneously reported, on an extremely difficult trail on a very hot Florida day. The Scout had a checkup the month prior to the hike. The scout also had turned in the Class Three medical form required by the Boy Scouts; the form was signed by both the boy’s doctor and the parents. There was no medical condition noted and the parents are unaware of any medical condition. I don’t know why the Sherrif’s office made the assumption that there was a medical condition involved. Maybe, but maybe it was heat stroke too.

By: F. M. Chaves MD

F. M. Chaves MD — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:55:23 +0000

Dr. Alvarez-

I think you aree hitting on a very important topic. While it is important to note that we see athletes die of HCM regularly (even olympic athletes who see many doctors) it should also be noted that the majority of HCM deaths occur while the victim is sedentary.

The athletes that do die of HCM almost invariably were evaluated by a doctor in order to play whetever sport they were engaged in. That means it was missed, and I think that is a serious problem. If they are being evaluated for their suitability to engage in sport one would think they should be evaluated for that which might kill them.

Beyond that, as you said, the incidence is 1 in 500, but the number that might have more impact is the 3500 or so deaths per year, and as I related most of them die while sedentary and not engaged in sport. We do need to do something regarding the evaluation of athletes in this regard but what about the rest?

I read a case recently in the news about a child who died of a “heart defect” that had been misdiagnosed and treated for GERD. I think you know as well as I do that it was HCM that killed him. A child that presents with such signs and symptoms most certainly needs to be evaluated for HCM.

An “in depth physical” need not be the answer and perhaps a more focused physical would be in order since we know quite well what we are looking for. If there is any doubt, an echo is simple, non-invasive, and painless.

Regards
FM Chaves MD