Toddler loses battle over seizures condition

Fifteen-month-old McKenna Olson of Lakeville died Wednesday from a rare genetic disorder called Alpers' disease after almost a five-month battle.

McKenna began having seizures, a symptom of the incurable brain disease, nearly two weeks ago and was admitted to Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota in St. Paul. She died there at about 2:45 p.m., according to the family's CaringBridge Web site.

Hundreds followed McKenna's struggle, donating money to help her family, writing letters of support and viewing her Web site more than 300,000 times.

"She was peaceful when she passed away and that was a blessing," said family friend Roxanne Frolik.

She was the second child Rand and Shannon Olson lost to the disorder. Their son, Drew, died in August, five days before his second birthday. Doctors discovered he had Alpers' just nine days before he died. McKenna later tested positive for the disease.

"I know they (McKenna's family) appreciate all the support," Frolik said. It means so much to McKenna's mother "to know how much her kids have touched other people's lives."

Alpers' disease is estimated to affect fewer than one in 200,000 children, according to Dr. Frank Ritter, a pediatric neurologist who specializes in epilepsy at St. Paul Children's. Ritter treated both Olson babies. The first symptoms usually begin with seizures early in life. In most cases, the child will die within three months after the onset of symptoms.

Like her brother, doctors would put McKenna in a drug-induced coma to prevent her from having nonstop seizures. She had her first seizure on Valentine's Day while at Disneyland. Her parents knew they would someday lose McKenna, like Drew.

"My sweet Muffin lost her battle with Alpers' today," wrote Shannon Olson, 35, on the CaringBridge Web site, which she updated regularly during McKenna's and Drew's illness. "I know her brother is waiting for her."