Hudson Martin was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease when he was just seven months old after developing flu-like symptoms, and went on to live a happy life before collapsing suddenly at home
A family have spoken of their heartbreak after paying tribute to their brave and spirited toddler who passed away unexpectedly last week whilst playing at his Bristol home.
Hudson Martin, from Knowle, was merely weeks away from marking his third birthday when he suddenly collapsed on Thursday, January 8.
The youngster had been diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at seven months old following the onset of flu-like symptoms, though his family revealed he had continued to lead a normal and joyful existence afterwards. His family have suspected he may have suffered a clot or a rupture but admit they still don’t know the cause of his death.
His father Damien Martin, 40, remarked: “You’d never know anything was wrong from pictures or videos.
“He bounced off everything. He loved climbing, dancing, music, he was a proper daredevil.”
Kawasaki is an uncommon condition that frequently manifests with typical symptoms such as fever, rash, red eyes and swollen hands and feet, but also triggers inflammation in blood vessels and can impact blood flow to the heart in severe instances.
Additional symptoms include pink eye, cracked lips, ‘strawberry tongue’, enlarged glands and a swollen rash across the stomach, reports Bristol Live.
Hudson eventually received his diagnosis when his parents recognised “something is not right”, and was prescribed lifelong treatment including aspirin and blood thinners to minimise clotting risks.
He bruised easily and experienced nosebleeds due to his medication, yet he maintained an energetic lifestyle otherwise.
His mother Natalie Smith, 39, shared: “He wanted to do everything himself – he climbed the highest slides, bounced constantly, and had the biggest personality. He was just full of life.”
His mum and dad received training to administer injections, routinely check his blood levels at home and carry out CPR – a technique that Natalie tragically needed to use on the day of his tragic death.
Hudson had been playing downstairs as usual when, despite being only two years old, he sensed something wasn’t right.
He had attempted to make his way upstairs to seek help from his mum before suddenly collapsing.
Emergency services and specialist teams arrived, battling for more than an hour to try to save him, his parents revealed.
“They did absolutely everything they could,” Damien said. “His heart just wouldn’t come back.”
Hudson was transported to Southampton for a post-mortem examination after his passing, though his parents have been informed it could take up to a year for complete results.
“We don’t know what happened,” Natalie admitted. “It could have been a clot, a rupture – we just don’t know. That’s the hardest part.”
Hudson passed away at home that day, leaving behind his heartbroken parents and his older siblings Kieran, 22, and twin brothers Ashton and Preston, nine.
“He’s at the BRI at the moment in the Rainbow Room,” he said. “We go and see him every day. Our house is just so quiet now.”
Despite their overwhelming sorrow, the family are already determined that Hudson’s story should highlight awareness of Kawasaki disease and its symptoms, as occasionally even healthcare professionals fail to recognise the warning signs.
When Hudson fell ill as a baby, he was first seen by the GP and subsequently admitted to hospital, where medics initially explored conditions such as measles before Kawasaki disease was even discussed.
Hudson’s parents outlined that there is no single test to diagnose Kawasaki disease and instead doctors must rule out other conditions first as a process of elimination.
“He was deteriorating day by day [before he was first diagnosed], and pretty much ended up laying in bed, not moving,” said Damien.
“All they were doing was taking blood, doing tests, that’s all they could do.”
Medical staff explained to his parents that Kawasaki disease is typically diagnosed after a child has endured a persistent fever for five days. Hudson had only experienced a fever for three days, which delayed treatment, despite displaying nearly all the other symptoms.
“It took someone coming in and saying, ‘He’s got all the symptoms, why hasn’t he been treated for Kawasaki disease?’ Natalie said.
Hudson received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment twice, as well as infliximab. He gradually started to recover, waking up, moving and eating again, but his blood results remained elevated.
He stayed in hospital for approximately five weeks until October 2024. Whilst his condition dramatically improved, Hudson’s disease had inflicted serious damage to his coronary arteries.
“They were so stretched from the Kawasaki and he is actually one of the rarest cases – no-one’s have been as big as his, pretty much,” Natalie said. “His heart itself was strong, but the arteries were badly affected.”
Hudson remained under the watchful eye of specialist cardiology teams, with medics seeking advice from experts throughout the UK and internationally, including Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Whilst heart transplantation was considered to address the condition’s impact, specialists eventually concluded Hudson wasn’t suitable because his heart muscle was working properly.
“His last appointment was in August,” Natalie recalled. “We were told they’d keep an eye on some changes seen on his scan, but after that, nothing happened. We chased it, but it just fell through.”
Damien and Natalie have urged fellow parents to become familiar with Kawasaki symptoms and recognise how closely they mirror common flu signs.
The couple emphasised: “People should push for it, if parents can see the symptoms, and be more aware of what to look for, they can question professionals a little bit more.
“It’s rare and sometimes professionals just don’t know enough about it.”
The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses, with surplus donations going to charities supporting families dealing with Kawasaki disease. More than £9,000 has already been raised.
Hudson’s father reveals he’s committed to spreading awareness and has pointed out that January represents ‘Kawasaki month’ whilst January 26 marks International Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day.
This year, Societi, a UK Foundation charity focused on increasing disease awareness, is illuminating over one hundred landmarks nationwide, including Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, where he hopes to attend and continue his awareness campaign.
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