Please read more about Osmi and his diagnosis with Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES).
On September 27th, 2018 Alejandro (Osmi) Moreno was seen at his local primary care doctor in his hometown of The Dalles, Oregon. Osmi had a lump on the side of his neck and had been running a fever. The next day Osmi’s fever continued to rise which prompted his family to again seek medical care. On Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018, Omsi had a seizure at school and was hospitalized. Osmi was admitted into his local hospital where he continued to have seizures lasting upwards of 30 minutes. On October 5th Osmi was sent to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit. Osmi was put into a medically induced coma to stop the seizures while doctors ran tests to find a diagnosis. On November 6th, 2018, Osmi was officially diagnosed with Febrile Infection Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES). The road to recovery will be slow, long, and may have lasting effects for Osmi and his family.
Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) is a catastrophic epileptic syndrome that strikes previously healthy children aged 3-15 years and has an unknown pathogenesis and few treatments. These children experience a nonspecific febrile illness that is followed by prolonged refractory status epilepticus. Although the etiology is unknown, FIRES has a biphasic presentation, with the acute phase beginning as seizure activity lasting 1-12 weeks, then followed by the chronic phase, which is characterized by refractory seizures that cluster every 2-4 weeks and may continue to be multifocal and independent. Treatment of FIRES is difficult, typically unresponsive to antiepileptic drugs. Some children resolve temporarily with drug-induced burst suppression comas. FIRES is rare effecting 1 in 1,000,000 children.
Osmi Moreno has always been a quiet, healthy, kind, well mannered, helpful, 9-year-old boy that has excelled in school at Chenoweth Elementary in The Dalles. Jasmine Cornejo- Moreno, Osmi‘s mother, has been unable to work during his stay at Doernbecher’s, Jasmine has continued a 24 hour bedside vigil. Jasmine has been a long time Employee at A Kidz Dental Zone in the Dalles. Osmi’s father, Alejandro Moreno has continued to work as much as possible to support the family. Osmi’s has a little brother Axel who is 4 years old; Jasmine is expecting their third child this winter.
The family has burned through all financial resources and faces a very long period of financial uncertainty. This fund will be used for Osmi’s medical care, family living, and travel expenses during Osmi’s treatment and recovery. Truly anything you can give would be greatly appreciated, at this point every dollar counts for this family. Please join A Kidz Dental Zone and Advanced Pediatric Dentristy in helping support this child, employee, and family.