Also known as: Inflammation and calcification of the heart sac
Six-year-old Lucy presents with calcified pericardium causing hypertension and requiring urgent surgical removal. The team initially suspects various infections and autoimmune causes for the pericardial disease.
Also known as: Brain attack
Lucy suffers a stroke caused by a clot in her middle cerebral artery, leading to temporary loss of speech. The stroke is ultimately linked to her polycythemia causing blood hypercoagulability.
Also known as: Thick blood from too many red blood cells
Lucy's blood is found to be abnormally thick due to overproduction of red blood cells, requiring therapeutic phlebotomy and hydroxyurea treatment. This condition directly causes her stroke and is a key symptom of her underlying hormone disorder.
Also known as: Early puberty
Lucy has begun menstruation and developed secondary sexual characteristics at age six due to excess sex hormones. The condition causes her reproductive system to activate prematurely and drives multiple dangerous complications including cyst formation throughout her body.
Also known as: Testosterone poisoning
The root cause of both children's conditions is determined to be transdermal absorption of testosterone from their father's male enhancement cream. The father unknowingly exposed them through physical contact, with the hormone being excreted through his skin.
Also known as: Eye inflammation
Lucy develops swelling in her eye's anterior chamber causing double vision. Initially thought to be autoimmune-related but ultimately another manifestation of her hormone-induced systemic disease.
Also known as: V-tach
During a biopsy procedure, Lucy develops ventricular tachycardia and loses her pulse, requiring defibrillation. The arrhythmia is determined to be a reaction to hydroxyurea treatment.
Also known as: Fluid-filled sacs in multiple organs
Lucy develops cysts in her pancreas, kidneys, and lung as her hormone-driven condition progresses. The rapidly appearing cysts signal the dangerous acceleration of her disease and risk of fatal cyst formation in brain or heart.
Also known as: Behavior problems from excess testosterone
Jasper's documented behavioral issues (fighting, detentions, aggression) are revealed to be caused by excess testosterone from the same environmental exposure affecting his sister. His testosterone levels are found to be 100 times higher than normal for an eight-year-old.