Paul Roscoe died in his home Saturday morning after he collapsed. The cause of his death was Kawasaki disease - a medical condition that affects children and results in aneurysms and blockages in blood vessels. It is common in boys under the age of 5.
According to a pediatric cardiologist in Northern and Central New Jersey, Dr. Scott Alenick, Kawasaki disease may be common but a person rarely dies from it. It usually occurs in winter but may also be present year-round.
Someone diagnosed with Kawasaki is given high doses of aspirin to control the inflammation. Once the inflammation has been controlled, the patient is then given low doses of aspirin to avert bulges from forming in the veins, Alenick said.
The condition is not preventable and the cause is still unknown. However, it is treatable. Less than 1 percent of cases are fatal.
