Last October, 13-year-old Riley MacDonald passed away without any known health issues, yet his heart suddenly stopped functioning. According to the forensic report, it was revealed that the unfortunate boy was missing an organ. Riley MacDonald’s family found out months after his death that he did not have a spleen.

The grieving mother recounted how her son woke up as usual to go to school but deteriorated rapidly towards the evening, needing hospitalization. Sally MacDonald, describing the sudden turn of events, mentioned that despite numerous efforts to save her son, they were not successful. Following Riley MacDonald’s death, the forensic report sent home indicated the absence of a spleen in the 13-year-old boy. Sally MacDonald expressed this situation as ‘negligence,’ emphasizing the need for organ checks during prenatal screenings.

Individuals without a spleen, especially during childhood, may need extra precautions due to being more susceptible to certain bacterial infections. According to The Sun, MacDonald, who contracted pneumonia, went into septic shock which led to his heart failure. The missing organ made it difficult for his body to fight infections. The heart can stop due to factors like electrolyte imbalances, genetic elements, and stress, with organ failure posing a significant threat.

The spleen filters the blood, removing old or damaged red blood cells and other abnormal cells. This process occurs within the two main areas of the spleen called the “white pulp” and “red pulp.” While the white pulp is involved in immune responses, the red pulp participates in the filtration of blood. Acting as a part of the immune system, the spleen defends the body against pathogens with immune cells like T cells and B cells. B cells produce antibodies triggering an immune response against pathogens, while the spleen provides swift responses to incoming infections.

Moreover, the spleen can recycle iron released after the breakdown of red blood cells to produce new ones. It also metabolizes components like biliverdin and bilirubin resulting from the breakdown of hemoglobin.