Ruston family asks for prayers after 8-year-old diagnosed with brain-eating amoeba
Lillian Smart spent her 8th birthday in the hospital as doctors worked to treat the rare infection and significant brain swelling
An 8-year-old Ruston girl is being treated in a pediatric intensive care unit after health officials confirmed she contracted Naegleria fowleri, a rare and often deadly “brain-eating” amoeba, likely after swimming in Lake Claiborne.
The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the case Wednesday. The girl’s family has identified her as Lillian Smart and has been sharing updates through the “Love for Lillian” Facebook page.
Lillian became sick quickly last week. What started as a fever Thursday progressed to double vision and other concerning symptoms by Saturday, according to a post made by her mother, Rebecca Smart.
Her parents, Daniel and Rebecca Smart, took her to Shreveport hospital Willis-Knighton South, where doctors initially diagnosed her with bacterial meningitis after a spinal tap. Doctors soon determined she was dealing with a Naegleria fowleri infection, according to the fundraiser.
Lillian is now in the PICU, where doctors are treating the infection and working to control swelling and pressure on her brain, along with her fever and blood pressure.
What is Naegleria fowleri?
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba most commonly found in warm freshwater, including lakes, rivers and canals.
Louisiana health officials believe Lillian was likely exposed while swimming in Lake Claiborne.
The amoeba is not found in saltwater and cannot infect people through properly maintained and chlorinated pools, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The department says the infection is extremely rare but nearly always fatal.
Symptoms typically begin with a severe headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, then can progress to a stiff neck, seizures and coma. They usually appear about five days after infection, but can develop anywhere from one to 12 days after exposure.
Rebecca Smart said Lillian’s illness came on quickly. She developed a high fever and became extremely fatigued, but tested negative for COVID-19, the flu and strep.
By Saturday afternoon, Lillian was complaining of double vision. Smart said she also noticed that her pupils were not symmetrical, prompting the family to take her to Willis-Knighton South.
Doctors initially diagnosed Lillian with bacterial meningitis after a spinal tap. She remained in the PICU as doctors worked to determine what was causing her illness before ultimately identifying the Naegleria fowleri infection.
As Lillian’s condition progressed, doctors told her family Thursday that she had significant swelling in her brain from the infection. The news came just one day before her 8th birthday.
Even as the family faces growing uncertainty about Lillian’s condition, Smart remains focused on how precious her daughter is to her.
“Lillian is the best girl in the world, and if you know her, you know that she is STRONG,” Smart wrote.
The family still celebrated Lillian’s birthday Friday, though they face difficult decisions ahead. They ask for continued prayers as she remains hospitalized.
How to help Lillian and her family
The Smart family has started a GoFundMe to help with expenses while they remain focused on Lillian’s treatment.
Daniel and Rebecca are both self-employed, according to the fundraiser page. With Lillian hospitalized, the family said their priority is being beside her, but time away from work means lost income while household bills continue.
The fundraiser also emphasizes that the family’s biggest request is for prayer — specifically for the pressure on Lillian’s brain to decrease, for her medication to work and for her complete healing.
