Patrick Bouvier Kennedy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patrick Bouvier Kennedy
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Gravestone at the Kennedy family plot in Arlington National Cemetery
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| Born | August 7, 1963 Otis Air Force Base Hospital, Bourne, Massachusetts, United States
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| Died | August 9, 1963 (aged 2 days) Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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| Cause of death | Hyaline membrane disease |
| Burial place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Parent(s) | |
| Relatives | See Kennedy family |
Patrick Bouvier Kennedy (August 7–9, 1963) was the youngest child of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. His older siblings were Caroline, John Jr., and Arabella.
Patrick was born too early. He lived for just over 39 hours. He died from a serious lung condition called hyaline membrane disease (HMD). Doctors tried their best to save him. His death made the Kennedy family and the nation very sad. It also helped people learn about HMD. This led to more research into the condition. It is now called infantile respiratory distress syndrome.
Contents
Patrick's Family Background
In August 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy was 34 years old. She was the First Lady of the United States. She was also in the last few months of her fifth pregnancy. She had experienced a miscarriage in 1955. The next year, she had a baby girl who was stillborn. The Kennedys had planned to name her Arabella.
After these losses, two healthy children were born. Caroline was born in 1957. John Jr. was born in 1960. John Jr. was also born early. Because of this, Jackie asked her doctor, John W. Walsh, to stay with her. This was during her summer vacation in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. A special room was also ready for her at the nearby Otis Air Force Base Hospital.
On the morning of Wednesday, August 7, Jackie took her children for a pony ride. While they were riding, she felt labor pains. Dr. Walsh was called. They were then taken by helicopter to Otis Air Force Base.
President Kennedy was at the White House. August 7 was a special day for him. It was 20 years since the US Navy had rescued him in World War II. He had been stranded on an island in the Pacific. This heroic event helped start his political career.
Patrick's Birth and Care
Patrick was born by emergency caesarean section at 12:52 p.m. on August 7, 1963. This happened at the Otis Air Force Base Hospital. He was born five and a half weeks early. Dr. Walsh performed the surgery. He had also delivered John Jr. in 1960. Patrick weighed about 4 pounds, 10.5 ounces (2.1 kg). He was the first baby born to a serving U.S. president in over 100 years.
Soon after birth, Patrick had trouble breathing. This was a sign of hyaline membrane disease (HMD). President Kennedy arrived and saw his son struggling. A chaplain was called. The baby was quickly baptized. He was named Patrick after his great-grandfather. His middle name, Bouvier, was his mother's maiden name.
The president was allowed to wheel his baby in an incubator to his wife's bedside. A children's health expert, Dr. James E. Drorbaught, flew in from Boston Children's Hospital. He suggested moving Patrick to Boston. Five hours after birth, the baby was rushed by ambulance to Boston Children's Hospital. It was about 70 miles away. The trip took less than 90 minutes.
At that time, doctors could only try to keep a baby's blood chemistry normal. Dr. Drorbaught led the team. They tried everything to save Patrick's life. The baby was given hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This meant he was placed in a special chamber. It was filled with 100% oxygen under pressure. This treatment was very new and advanced at the time.
Patrick's Death and Funeral
Patrick died at 4:04 a.m. on August 9. He lived for 39 hours and 12 minutes. Doctors made a desperate effort to save him. When Patrick died, President Kennedy was outside the special oxygen room. His brother, Robert F. Kennedy, was with him. The First Lady was still at Otis Air Force Base Hospital. She was recovering from her surgery. Dr. Walsh told her about her son's death.
A small funeral was held on August 10, 1963. It took place in a private chapel in Boston. Cardinal Richard Cushing led the service. He would also lead the funeral for John F. Kennedy later that year. Patrick's siblings, Caroline (age five) and John Jr. (age two and a half), did not attend.
Patrick was first buried in Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline, Massachusetts. This was the president's hometown. His body and that of his stillborn sister Arabella were later moved. On December 5, 1963, they were reburied next to their father. This was at Arlington National Cemetery.
Patrick's Lasting Impact
Patrick's death made 1963 a very important year for neonatology. This is the field of medicine that cares for newborn babies. His death helped people learn more about HMD. This led to more research into the disease. New medical tools were developed. These included new medical ventilators and blood gas tests. New ways to care for newborns in intensive care also came about.
Experts say Patrick's death encouraged researchers. They worked hard to find better ways to treat respiratory distress syndrome. Fifty years later, treating this condition is common. Babies with it are now expected to survive.
Patrick's parents were deeply affected by his death. A Secret Service agent said the couple became closer after their son died. Their press secretary also believed the death brought them even closer.
See also
- Preterm birth
