A prominent Toronto neurologist is raising questions about the cause of the seizures that killed John Travolta's son Jett, who died last Friday while on vacation with his family in the Bahamas.
The Travoltas say their son was diagnosed with the blood vessel disorder Kawasaki syndrome when he was two years old. But Dr. Peter Carlen, a neurologist at Toronto Western Hospital, said current medical literature does not say that children who suffer from the syndrome also suffer seizures.
An autopsy on the 16-year-old listed the cause of death as "seizure."
Reports have suggested Jett may have had autism, a spectrum of disorders that can cause severe impairment in communication. It is believed that he could not speak, one of the symptoms of autism, and rare video footage of the teen has shown him making repetitive hand movements, another hallmark of the condition.
According to Carlen, there is also an increased frequency of epilepsy, a seizure disorder, in autistic patients.
"Most people with epilepsy require medication," Carlen said.
He then went on to say: "Not being on enough medication, or not being on medication, is one of the risk factors for sudden unexplained death from epilepsy."
Critics have accused the Travoltas of denying the true nature of their son's illness because of their religion, Scientology. In interviews, both parents have denied their son has autism.
Reports have suggested that the Church of Scientology does not recognize autism, which is not the case, according to spokesperson Tommy Davis.
"We've never said any such thing," Davis told CTV.ca in a telephone interview from Los Angeles. "We don't recognize or not recognize any physical ailment. It's just not something the Church does. We don't take a position on the classification or diagnoses of physical conditions. That's the province of medicine. And we, the Church, as a religion, we deal with the spirit."
While the Church allows its members to seek medical advice from doctors and receive conventional treatments for physical disorders, it does not believe in psychiatry or the use of psychiatric drugs.
However, according to Davis, "there's no prohibition in Scientology" against taking medication for a physical problem and any patient, or a parent of a patient, would be free to treat a physical medical condition however they saw fit.
After Jett Travolta was diagnosed with Kawasaki syndrome, his parents insisted their son's health improved after they followed a detoxification program based on the Church's teachings. They blamed his illness on the use of household cleaners and fertilizers.
However, reports indicate that Jett required round-the-clock care due to the frequency of his seizures.
Davis could not speak to the specifics of the detox program the Travoltas followed to help their son.
However, he did say that the Church offers a "purification" program to help remove drugs and other toxins that accumulate in the body, which "can affect one emotionally and spiritually and one's mental clarity."
The program includes a regimen of sauna, vitamins and exercise, Davis said.
Davis also pointed out that the family has not said their son's death was a result of his having Kawasaki syndrome.
The family left the Bahamas on Monday evening to bring Jett's ashes for their home in Ocala, Florida.
Funeral plans have not been announced.
