Teen Piano Prodigy Loses Hands and Feet after Flu-like Illness Leads to Amputation
By Caitlin Tilley, Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com
September 13, 2023
Mathias Uribe, a 14-year-old piano prodigy from Tennessee, has had both his hands and feet amputated following a flu-like illness that resulted in a deadly immune overreaction. Mathias, from Sumer County, initially fell ill with what appeared to be a regular cold in mid-June. However, within weeks, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he was rushed to the emergency room struggling to breathe.
Doctors diagnosed Mathias with toxic shock syndrome, a condition that occurs when infections release toxins into the bloodstream, causing damage to organs. As Mathias’ lungs began to fail, he was put on life support. However, his body struggled to pump blood properly, leading to the skin on his extremities rotting and becoming gangrenous. To save his life, doctors made the difficult decision to amputate all four of his limbs.
Mathias’s mother, Catalina Uribe, expressed the difficulty of watching videos of her son running and playing the piano since the amputations. However, she remains hopeful, stating, “But at the same time, I look at him and I’m like, ‘he’s here.'” Mathias was a talented piano player before his amputation, and his parents hope he will be able to play again someday with prosthetics.
Dr. Katie Boyle, an ICU pediatrician and the head of Mathias’s care team, described his case as “extremely rare.” She explained that while the flu can make individuals more susceptible to bacterial infections, most children do not get as sick as Mathias did. Mathias suffered from streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria, which are commonly found in the throat and on the skin.
Mathias’s ordeal took a turn on June 30 when he experienced a cardiac arrest and was airlifted to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Although the life-support machine saved his major organs, it did not provide enough blood flow to his extremities in the 12 days he was on it. As a result, his hands and feet suffered severe damage and had to be amputated.
When a limb is deprived of blood flow and oxygen for an extended period, the tissue can die and become infected. In Mathias’s case, sepsis caused blood to clot and thicken, making it difficult for nutrients to reach the affected tissues, leading to tissue death and gangrene. Surgery was necessary to remove the dead tissue and prevent infection from spreading.
Mathias has undergone numerous surgeries, with a few more still to come. He is currently recovering at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. To cover his medical expenses and the cost of prosthetics, Mathias’s family has started a fundraising campaign. They remain hopeful that Mathias will regain his ability to play the piano and participate in sports in the future.
Mathias’s parents have assured him that they will be his “arms and legs” until they find a solution to his condition. His mother believes that he will have an amazing life and that he will be able to achieve anything he sets his mind to.
The case of Mathias Uribe serves as a tragic reminder of the serious complications that can arise from even seemingly harmless illnesses. It highlights the importance of early detection and prompt medical intervention in preventing severe consequences.