You Made the Diagnosis -- HLH

Jan. 16, 2007— -- High school student Amanda Weber was a typical teenager with many friends and hobbies. Though born hearing-impaired, Amanda was otherwise healthy her entire life.

"She's just a healthy kid," said Terry Weber, Amanda's mother.

So, when Amanda came down with a cold one winter, her parents didn't think much of it. It was cold and flu season after all, they thought, and it was probably just a typical bug. But by March, Amanda wasn't any better -- she was much worse. A trip to the family pediatrician revealed Amanda had mononucleosis.

"The pediatrician prescribed an antibiotic because she has a cochlear implant," Weber said.

A cochlear implant is a hearing aid that is attached directly to the nerves inside the head. If an infection develops, significant problems can develop.

With a diagnosis of mononucleosis, Amanda and her mother returned home. They thought that like most kids who come down with mono, Amanda would be back on her feet in several weeks. However, only days later, Amanda's health spiraled downward. She developed chest pains and a high fever… and she was vomiting.

After she returned to the doctor, Amanda's condition grew alarmingly worse.

"She was in pain, and she was weak, and she was tired, and she didn't feel very well," Weber recalled. "You could see that she was starting to kind of decline. She was having a hard time focusing."

Amanda's doctor told them to go straight to the emergency room. Amanda remembers that day well.

"[My mom] called 911. I took an ambulance," she said.

When Amanda arrived at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Vijay Srinivasan ran several tests. They revealed troubling signs, showing that Amanda's kidneys were only functioning at 25 percent.

"She had multiple organs not working, that were in the process of failing," Dr. Srinivasan said.

Soon physicians, nurses and specialists were surrounding Amanda's bedside.