Boy with heart condition dies during oral surgery

A 4-year-old California boy died November 11 during a procedure to have his teeth capped and several others extracted, KCRA reported.

Jermaine Harrison's cause of death is unknown, but the Stockton boy had a pacemaker and had previously survived three open-heart surgeries, according to KCRA. An internal investigation has been launched, according to officials at Oakland Children's Hospital, where the procedure took place.

The dental procedure was undertaken because the boy had extensive caries, and there were concerns that bacteria from the decay could travel to his heart. His condition prevented the procedure from taking place at a dentist's office.

Jermaine's grandmother, Pamela McElroy, said the boy could not be given an inhaled anesthetic due to his heart condition. A nurse allegedly told McElroy that an inhaled anesthesia was used, but hospital officials disagreed, according to KCRA.

However, James Hanson, MD, vice president at Oakland Children's Hospital, told KCRA he did not know what kind of anesthesia was administered, but that the boy's vital signs were strong during the procedure.