Gary Coleman, 'Diff'rent Strokes' Star, 'Unconscious, on Life Support'
'Diff'rent Strokes' star, prone to seizures, hospitalized in Utah.
May 28, 2010— -- Former child TV star Gary Coleman remains unconcious and on life support after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage at his home in Utah Wednesday, according to his publicist.
"He was immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment," John Alcantar said in an e-mail to ABC News today.
Later Wednesday evening, according to Alcantar, Coleman was moved to another hospital for more tests and treatment. By midday Thursday, Coleman had regained consciousness and was lucid but by the early afternoon "was slipping in and out of consciousness and his condition worsened."
Since Thursday afternoon, Coleman, 42, has been unconscious and on life support. Because of his unstable condition, Coleman has not undergone any surgery, according to Alcantar.
"In recent years Gary Coleman has had difficulties, not only with health issues, but also with his personal and public life," Alcantar added. "At times, it may not have been apparent, but he always has had fond memories of being an entertainer and appreciates his fans for all their support over the years. At this critical moment, we can only ask for your thoughts and prayers for Gary to make a speedy and full recovery."
Coleman's hemorrhage may have resulted from trauma to his head. Thursday, Coleman's brother-in-law told TMZ.com that the actor fell and suffered a head injury.
According to Dr. Arno Fried, chairman of Neurosurgery at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey, the first priority for doctors treating Coleman should be to alleviate the pressure the hemorrhage is putting on his brain.
"The first step is to determine if it's a surgical problem," Fried told ABCNews.com. "Some [hemorrhages] lend themselves to surgery where people can go in and remove the hemorrhage, remove the blood clot and also stop the bleeding. Sometimes it's in a location where we can't operate. If it can't be operated on, then the next thing is to try to reduce the pressure on the brain with medicines."
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