He vomits blood and collapses

He vomits blood and collapses



HE VOMITTED blood suddenly, slipped into a coma and died five days later.

Nineteen-year-old polytechnic student Jordan Tan Jun Jie (top) was studying with classmates in school last Tuesday when he threw up his lunch -- and large amounts of blood.

His shocked classmates called an ambulance and helped him onto a bench. Mr Tan lost consciousness before the paramedics arrived.

Doctors at the National University Hospital (NUH) found that he had a blood clot in his brain, and required an immediate operation to remove it.

He was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia - a deficiency of blood platelets that leads to problems with blood clotting. His platelet level was so low that it was impossible to operate on him immediately.

After being in a critical condition for almost 12 hours, the blood pressure in his brain was dangerously high and doctors performed an operation to relieve the pressure.

But Mr Tan never regained consciousness and was pronounced brain dead on Thursday. He died at 5.25am on Sunday.

Mr Tan was a second-year student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology. A sporty and active student leader who did well in his studies, he was also the president of the prefectorial board in his secondary school.

According to a friend's blog, he met an accident on his motorcycle recently but had no apparent injuries. His sudden collapse and death came as a shock to his friends and family.

Many stayed by his bedside. His mother talked to him constantly, hoping that he would wake up.

Classmates had appealed online for blood platelet donations but Mr Tan died barely two days after the call went out.

Source: http://www.asiaone.com/Health/Men%2527s%2BMatters/Story/A1Story20090217-122559.html