Santorum’s daughter hospitalized on Friday

Rick Santorum’s campaign said that his daughter, Isabella, was hospitalized Friday.

“Rick and his wife Karen have taken their daughter Bella to the hospital. The family requests prayers and privacy as Bella works her way to recovery,” said Santorum spokesman Hogan Gidley in a statement.

{mosads}The campaign did not say why Isabella had been hospitalized.

Santorum’s daughter, 3, has been diagnosed with a fatal chromosomal disorder called Trisomy 18, and her health has been a concern for the Republican presidential hopeful. Already Isabella has lived longer than most children born with the genetic illness. Half of babies born with the disease do not survive the first week after they are born, according to the National Institute of Health.

In January, Isabella was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia shortly before the Florida primary. Santorum, who was home to prepare his tax returns, briefly suspended campaigning to spend time at the hospital.

Mitt Romney tweeted a note of support to the Santorum family Friday afternoon.

Praying for a quick recovery for Bella. Ann and I are keeping Rick, Karen and the entire Santorum family in our thoughts.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) April 6, 2012

Santorum had already announced Thursday that he would not schedule campaign events through the Easter weekend.