Teen's Tragic Stevens Johnson Syndrome Ordeal

Stanford, CAWhat was supposed to be one of the most exciting trips of a teenager's life turned tragic when the teen reportedly developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). The patient was on his way to Disneyland for the first time in his life when he developed Stevens Johnson syndrome symptoms. Now, the boy is in intensive care, fighting off the SJS.

The young boy, Miguel Windley, is a high school senior from Georgia who was on his way to Disneyland to celebrate winning a basketball championship with his team. According to WSBT News (04/15/11), Windley suffered an aneurism on the plane. He was taken to intensive care at Stanford where he had two open-heart surgeries.

Unfortunately, Windley suffered complications and developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Making the situation worse, Stanford apparently cannot provide Windley with the appropriate care he needs—SJS patients require a burn unit to deal with their injuries—and Berkeley's burn unit reportedly would not take him because he is not a resident of California. A report in the Ledger-Enquirer (04/17/11) indicated Windley would be moved to a hospital in Fresno, California, that was better able to treat the Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Speaking with WSBT News, Windley's mother said that her son was burning from the inside out. He has suffered blisters to his entire body and is now blind. Surgery was performed to try to save his vision, and although the surgery reportedly went well, doctors will not know if it was successful for a few weeks.

According to the Ledger-Enquirer, the young patient had been in a coma since his second open-heart surgery. Reports have not indicated what happened during that second open-heart surgery to result in the Stevens Johnson Syndrome or even if that surgery was the cause of the health problems.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a potentially fatal condition, in which the patient develops blisters over his entire body and the skin sloughs off. Lesions can develop on the mucous membranes and patients often experience problems with their vision. Those who survive may have permanent scarring and damage to their eyesight. SJS is typically associated with medications, including medications containing ibuprofen.