Heart defect contributed to Naperville girl's death
A serious and undiagnosed heart defect was a significant factor in the death of a 14-year-old Naperville girl who also had contracted the H1N1 flu virus, DuPage County officials said Saturday.
In a statement issued Saturday afternoon on the DuPage County coroner's Web site, officials said that Naperville North High School freshman Michelle Fahle was particularly vulnerable to the H1N1 flu because of a "progressive defect" in her heart, a condition she had before becoming infected by the virus.
The coroner's office won't issue a final cause of death until further testing is completed.
"We can't say for sure what the defect is yet," DuPage County Coroner Peter Siekmann said Saturday. "Doctors are working even now to answer that question. But we do know that she had a heart problem that hadn't been diagnosed before."
Fahle had been experiencing flu-like symptoms for several days and was rushed to Naperville's Edward Hospital by ambulance Thursday morning. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Her death has led to an outpouring of grief among the Naperville North community. In one of several tribute pages dedicated to Fahle on the Facebook social networking Web site, friends encouraged students to wear black in her memory when they return to school Tuesday; school's out Monday for Columbus Day.
News about Fahle's death also added to the fears and questions surrounding the H1N1 virus.
Siekmann pointed out that any kind of flu - not just the H1N1 variety - can pose a particular problem for a person with a heart condition. Speaking in general terms, and not specifically about Fahle's case, Siekmann said also that some heart problems can exist without any visible symptoms.
"In cases where there are no symptoms, there would be no reason why a parent would bring his or her child to the doctor for a full cardiac exam," he said.
A visitation for Fahle will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home, 516 S. Washington St., Naperville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday.