Personal Injury Law

Seizure Official Cause Of Death Of Travolta Teen

By Jane Akre

The official cause of death of Jett Travolta is listed simply as "seizure."  

That is what appeared on the 16-year-old's death certificate after he died suddenly last Friday at the Bahamas vacation home of actors, John Travolta and Kelly Preston. 

Authorities did not release the results of an autopsy performed Monday. An autopsy is required in the Bahamas when there is a sudden death so foul play can be ruled out.

"The cause of death was seizure disorder," said Keith McSweeney of Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium. The autopsy offered no other explanation. 

Initial police reports indicated that Jett Travolta had hit his head, but CBS News reports that at Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport Monday, a pair of forensic pathologists examined Jett's body for two hours. The autopsy revealed there were no signs of head trauma, despite the initial police reports.   

Talking to Fox News, a forensic pathologist said that studying the tissues in the body to determine how much fluid had developed in the lungs, would have helped determined how the seizure affected the heart and lungs.

Seizures

Epilepsy.com reports that the overall life expectancy of people who have epileptic seizures is the same as anyone else, but a long-lasting convulsive seizure, if not stopped within about 30 minutes, can cause death or permanent injury.  Individuals who are in a seizure and vomiting, need to be turned on their side so they do not inhale the liquid.

Seizure accidents can occur in a tub with only a few inches of water, so taking a shower is recommended. Those prone to seizures may not be able to drive and the restriction is determined in your state.

A rare condition that leads to death in those suffering from epilepsy is called Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). It accounts for less than 2 percent of deaths, or about one in 3,000 people with epilepsy.  That number can rise to one in 300 for those who have frequent, uncontrollable seizures. Epilepsy.com says SUDEP is extremely rate in children.

The couple, both Scientologists, have ruled out autism, as their faith does not recognize the condition. 

Travolta and Preston had the teen's body cremated and have returned to Ocala, Florida for a burial.

Jett Travolta was known to have suffered from Kawasaki disease and seizures. #

Full post as published by InjuryBoard on January 06, 2009 (boomark / email).