{“title”:”Toddler Dies After Rare Kawasaki Battle”,”body”:”At a Glance
– Hudson Hughie Martin, 2, collapsed on Jan. 8 and died at home despite paramedics working over an hour
– He had battled Kawasaki disease since 7 months old, leaving a giant aneurysm near his heart
– Parents warn there is no test; diagnosis comes only by ruling out other illnesses
– Why it matters: Early recognition of Kawasaki symptoms can push doctors toward life-saving treatment
A 2-year-old boy has died from complications of Kawasaki disease-an illness that mimics the flu-just weeks before his third birthday. His parents are now urging other families to know the signs so they can demand faster care.
## The Collapse
On Jan. 8, Hudson Hughie Martin collapsed on the stairs inside his family home. Paramedics spent more than an hour attempting to restart his heart before pronouncing him dead at the scene.
“They did absolutely everything they could,” father Damien Martin told Bristol Live. “His heart just wouldn’t come back.”
## A Delayed Diagnosis
Hudson’s medical journey began at 7 months old when he started deteriorating rapidly.
“He was deteriorating day by day, and pretty much ended up laying in bed, not moving,” Damien recalled. “All they were doing was taking blood, doing tests, that’s all they could do.”
His mother, Natalie, said a turning point came only when a new staff member entered the hospital room and asked, “He’s got all the symptoms, why hasn’t he been treated for Kawasaki disease?”
## What Is Kawasaki Disease?
According to the Mayo Clinic:
– Causes inflammation in walls of medium-sized blood vessels
– Most often strikes children
– Triggers swelling in lymph nodes and mucous membranes inside mouth, nose, eyes, throat
– Produces flu-like symptoms that can escalate quickly
## Treatment and Setbacks
After Hudson’s diagnosis, doctors administered two rounds of treatment. His behavior and energy improved, but lab results remained troubling.
“His numbers weren’t coming back down to where they should be,” Damien explained. “Even though he was up showing signs that he was well-he was waking up, he was moving around and he started eating-the doctors every day kept coming in with bad news and saying there was nothing they could do, his numbers aren’t moving.”
Medical staff warned the family to prepare for the worst.
## Lingering Damage
When Hudson was finally discharged, he carried a giant aneurysm next to his heart, according to aunt Danielle, who organized a GoFundMe campaign. He spent the following months on multiple medications and frequent monitoring.
## A Boy Full of Life
Despite ongoing health issues, Hudson’s personality shone through.
“You would have never known he was poorly,” Danielle said. “He was your typical boy. He loved to dance and loved a beat. His three brothers, Kieran, Preston and Ashton, absolutely adore him.”
Damien added, “He bounced off everything. He loved climbing, dancing, music, he was a proper daredevil.”
Natalie echoed the sentiment: “He wanted to do everything himself-he climbed the highest slides, bounced constantly, and had the biggest personality. He was just full of life.”
## Parents’ Warning
With no definitive test for Kawasaki disease, diagnosis relies on ruling out other conditions. Damien and Natalie now urge parents to push for consideration of the illness when symptoms align.
“People should push for it,” they advised. “If parents can see the symptoms and be more aware of what to look for, they can question professionals a little bit more. It’s rare, and sometimes professionals just don’t know enough about it.”
## Key Takeaways
– Kawasaki disease can masquerade as a simple viral illness
– Persistent fever, rash, red eyes, and swollen lymph nodes warrant immediate evaluation
– Repeated questioning and advocacy can accelerate diagnosis
– Even after treatment, vascular damage may require lifelong monitoring”,”meta_description”:”Two-year-old Hudson Hughie Martin died Jan. 8 from Kawasaki disease complications. Parents urge awareness of the rare, flu-mimicking illness.”,”categories”:[“Health News”,”Breaking News”]}
