Kevin’s Story
Age 2 (3 When Hospitalized)
August 2024
Location : Missouri
Source: Unknown, but likely cows from our family farm
Infection: Shiga toxin producing E.coli (STEC 0157:H7)
Disease: Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Days Hospitalized: 16
Days of Dialysis: 6
In late July 2024, Kevin, just two years old at the time, had been staying with his grandpa on his farm
while mom and dad went on a short vacation. A few days after mom and dad got home, Kevin’s
symptoms began on August 3 with some mild diarrhea—just once or twice that day. The next day
was about the same. On Monday, he vomited once or twice, and that continued each day that week.
He continued to eat and drink. As the week went on, he was more tired and less active than usual
but nothing seemed seriously wrong. On Friday, August 9, Kevin had stopped urinating so we made
the decision to take him straight to the emergency room.
We went to Mercy St. Louis initially where they quickly gave us the diagnosis of Hemolytic Uremic
Syndrome and within three hours, Kevin was transferred to St. Louis Children’s Hospital due to the
need for pediatric dialysis. At that time, we really did not know what kind of infection caused the
HUS. That same day, he began hemodialysis.
Over the next 12 days, he received four blood transfusions and underwent six rounds of
hemodialysis. We also learned that it was Shiga toxin producing E. Coli (STEC 0157:H7) which caused
the HUS. Though he avoided many of the most severe complications, Kevin did develop pneumonia
shortly after his initial hospital discharge, sending us back for another five-day stay.
Kevin’s time in the hospital was filled with uncertainty, fear, and prayers. We celebrated his third
birthday in a hospital room—though it also marked his discharge day from that first long stay, which
brought some joy. We returned home on August 20, only to go back on August 22 due to
pneumonia. Kevin went home for good on August 26. He remained on blood pressure medication
for the next three months and his kidneys have since returned to baseline with no lasting disease.
Today, Kevin is doing incredibly well. He struggles with constipation which makes potty training really
difficult but is otherwise healthy and full of energy. He still experiences anxiety during medical visits
or procedures, likely a lasting result from all that he went through during his hospitalizations.
while mom and dad went on a short vacation. A few days after mom and dad got home, Kevin’s
symptoms began on August 3 with some mild diarrhea—just once or twice that day. The next day
was about the same. On Monday, he vomited once or twice, and that continued each day that week.
He continued to eat and drink. As the week went on, he was more tired and less active than usual
but nothing seemed seriously wrong. On Friday, August 9, Kevin had stopped urinating so we made
the decision to take him straight to the emergency room.
We went to Mercy St. Louis initially where they quickly gave us the diagnosis of Hemolytic Uremic
Syndrome and within three hours, Kevin was transferred to St. Louis Children’s Hospital due to the
need for pediatric dialysis. At that time, we really did not know what kind of infection caused the
HUS. That same day, he began hemodialysis.
Over the next 12 days, he received four blood transfusions and underwent six rounds of
hemodialysis. We also learned that it was Shiga toxin producing E. Coli (STEC 0157:H7) which caused
the HUS. Though he avoided many of the most severe complications, Kevin did develop pneumonia
shortly after his initial hospital discharge, sending us back for another five-day stay.
Kevin’s time in the hospital was filled with uncertainty, fear, and prayers. We celebrated his third
birthday in a hospital room—though it also marked his discharge day from that first long stay, which
brought some joy. We returned home on August 20, only to go back on August 22 due to
pneumonia. Kevin went home for good on August 26. He remained on blood pressure medication
for the next three months and his kidneys have since returned to baseline with no lasting disease.
Today, Kevin is doing incredibly well. He struggles with constipation which makes potty training really
difficult but is otherwise healthy and full of energy. He still experiences anxiety during medical visits
or procedures, likely a lasting result from all that he went through during his hospitalizations.
