Jackson Has Variety Of Ailments Star In Serious Condition, But A Full Recovery Is Expected

Michael Jackson remained in serious but stable condition Thursday after being admitted to the intensive care unit of a Manhattan hospital, where he was being treated for a variety of medical problems.

“Mr. Jackson suffered a fainting reaction possibly due to a cardiac arrhythmia with dehydration,” his doctors said in a statement distributed at the Beth Israel Medical Center North Division.

The 37-year-old recording star was rushed by ambulance to the hospital Wednesday after collapsing during a rehearsal for an HBO TV concert special that was to air Sunday but is now postponed.

Ambulance attendants found Jackson semiconscious lying on the side of the rehearsal stage at the Beacon Theater.

Thursday, Jackson’s physicians, Allan Metzger and William Alleyne, said he was being treated for gastroenteritis, dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance affecting his kidney and liver function.

“The arrhythmias that patients like this get are usually very trivial,” said Dr. David Cannom, medical director of cardiology at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. “My guess is this is a simple problem and he is going to be all right.”

Jackson’s hospital room was reported to be decorated for him with framed posters of Shirley Temple and Mickey Mouse.

The singer was visited by his wife, Lisa Marie Presley, who arrived at the hospital Thursday, and other relatives.