Dance boy who had cardiac arrest recovering in hospital
A NINE-year-old boy who suffered a cardiac arrest during a Sydney dance class is talking and breathing without a ventilator.
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A NINE-year-old boy who suffered a cardiac arrest during a Sydney dance class is talking and breathing without a ventilator.
John Appleyard, father of Cooper, announced the good news to family and friends, saying: “Cooper is awake, breathing on his own, responsive and able to speak.
“He’s still very groggy and sedated for comfort but this is great news. Our prayers have been answered, thank you all.”
Cooper was practising for an end-of-year concert when he collapsed at the Sylvania Heights community centre on Monday after performing a forward flip.
His heart stopped for several minutes while his dance teacher, Danielle MacCaskell, a trained nurse, performed CPR.
His family is keeping a bedside vigil as they wait to learn if there has been brain damage.
He will remain at the hospital for several days to undergo blood tests and scans as medical experts probe what caused his heart to stop and examine whether there is lasting damage.
Doctors suspect a viral infection may have weakened his heart, or that he has an undetected genetic condition.