Sudden death of a teen cheerleader caused by a streptococcus: autopsy

Her family learned that a 13-year-old girl from Kentucky, who died a few hours after falling ill, was suffering from streptococcus, learned two months after her sudden loss.

"Apparently, an underlying Strep infection has overwhelmed his immune system with little or no warning, and catastrophic results," said the eighth-grade family, Lilliana Schalck, in a statement. "We would not wish this nightmare to anyone."

However, Lilliana's family said in her statement that speaking publicly about her autopsy report "could help prevent a similar outcome for someone else."

"Lilliana would surely help if she could, and this is just an extension of that spirit."

Lilliana was preparing for her All-Star competition on February 23 when her hands became numb and her feet began to swarm, her father, Dan Schalck, told ABC News in February.

"I sort of took it aside, maybe I would make him drink liquids," Schalck said. "She was just starting to weaken, not acting herself."

Lilliana was transported to the emergency room of the National Children's Hospital.

"In intensive care, they were working on it," said his father, referring to the intensive care unit. "At one point, I was able to approach and hold her hand. At that moment, they could not do anything anymore.

A few hours after falling ill, this 13-year-old man was dead.

According to the autopsy report obtained Friday by ABC News, Lilliana has been shown to have an extensive infection due to Group A Streptococcus (GAS), the same bacterium that causes strep throat. The coroner cultivated bacteria in his blood, cerebrospinal fluid, meninges and lungs.

Although gases more frequently cause minor infections such as strep throat and impetigo (superficial skin infection), they can also cause serious, sometimes fatal infections, such as cellulitis (more serious skin infection) , necrotizing fasciitis), pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), approximately 11,000 to 13,000 cases of invasive GAS infection occur each year in the United States, against millions of non-invasive GAS infections . From 1,100 to 1,600 people developing invasive GAS disease will die each year.

Meanwhile, Lilliana's family said she remained "shocked, as we go through the most difficult times imaginable: we discover each day new" First "and" Latest "."

The family also expressed "gratitude for the love and support of his friends, teachers, coaches and administrators of the Highlands Middle and High Schools, his extended family at Premier Athletics, as well as the entire community of applause from this country and most of all the good people of Fort Thomas. "

"We are truly grateful and sincerely overwhelmed by those who have reached out and continue to find new ways to support Lilliana's memory almost daily," said the family.