Supplements eyed in student's death

By Tang Zhihao (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-16 08:10

SHANGHAI: A 15-year-old student, a budding athlete specializing in the high jump, died suddenly during an intensive training session on Monday, only one day before his 16th birthday.

Shan Feiyang, recruited to the No 3 Xiaoshan High School as a promising high jumper, collapsed at the school playground at 5:30 pm after running for about 70 meters. He was sent to the No 1 People's Hospital in Xiaoshan and died at about 9 pm.

Shan was in the middle of a physical training program implemented by the school. Without placing blame, the parents said the program could have led to his death.

The local educational bureau is investigating the dietary supplementary products Shan had reportedly been taking before he died.

In his school dormitory, supplementary products including pure whey protein powder and specialized drinks were found. The boy's father Shan Shuilong said his son was required by the school to buy the products.

"My son told me that the training was so intensive that he did not have time to review his academic subjects," said Shan Shuilong.

In a July 21 comment on his QQ space, a blog on an instant messaging service, Shan Feiyang revealed both his fatigue from the program and his determination.

"The training is intensive, I have to get up at 4:30 am, I feel sleepy and tired but I have to keep up with the training course. I think I can break a new record in the upcoming sports games," Shan said in the blog, according to the Zhejiang-based Morning Express.

Yang Weibin, a director of the hospital, told the Morning Express that "the protein powder can help athletes get the most out of training in a short time. The protein powder can be taken by athletes but it is surprising to see a high school student taking the supplements."

The doctors who participated in the emergency treatment said that Shan's death could be categorized as exercise-related sudden death, but the cause is uncertain. Further investigation may be required, they said.

"The student died in very short time. Pupil dilation and the blood pressure could not be measured when the student was hospitalized," said Yao Xiaocong, department director of Xiaoshan First People's Hospital.

"Most exercise-related sudden deaths are caused by heart diseases," Yao said. "The supplementary products may not lead to death unless it contains some stimulants."

Negotiations between the parents and the school took place over two days. The parents decided to forgo the right to have a postmortem examinations, according to a staff surnamed Chen from the education department of Xiaoshan Education Bureau.

"The two parties may reach a compensation agreement," said Chen.

Yao told China Daily that the boy's body was removed from the hospital this Wednesday and "should have been cremated" by now.

Yao said that exercise-related sudden death often happens among youths. It is a kind of disease that is difficult to observe or prevent in its early stages.

"Sufficient rest and relaxation may help lower the chance (of exercise-related sudden death)," Yao said.