Girl, 3, died from sepsis just hours after being sent home from hospital with ‘stomach bug’
A TODDLER died from sepsis the day after she was sent home from hospital with a “stomach bug”.
Harper Aitken, three, was rushed to A&E after developing a rash, temperature and sore throat.
But after a couple of hours she felt better and doctors said she just had an upset stomach.
The next afternoon her lips turned blue and her mum, Lori Mullen, 34, took her to see their GP.
Harper was rushed back to hospital by ambulance after collapsing in the surgery waiting room.
She tragically died just over two hours later.
Her brother didn't even get a chance to say goodbye
Harper's mum Lori
Devastated Lori, of Bo’ness, West Lothian, told the Scottish Daily Mail: “She woke up with a fever one morning and was dead by teatime the next day.
“She took off her oxygen mask and the last thing she said to me was, ‘Mummy, I don’t like this. I want to go home’.
“Her brother Cayden did not even get a chance to say goodbye.”
FIRST SIGNS
Waitress Lori said her daughter had also been ill with diarrhoea the day before her death.
She spotted a rash on Harper’s tummy and called an ambulance over meningitis fears.
She said: “The rash was making me panic. I knew every minute counted, but she was still responsive.
"She was drinking lots of water, so the doctors thought it might be a urine infection.
“After a couple of hours her rash was fading and she was sent home. It was thought she had a tummy bug because of her diarrhoea.”
SENT TO GP
But when Harper felt ill again Lori phoned the hospital and was told to go to her GP.
She said: “All of sudden she collapsed in the waiting room. She just flopped in my arms.
“She was taken straight into a resuscitation room in hospital, then she was taken into theatre.
“She deteriorated so quickly. I felt complete disbelief.
“I could not believe this was happening in front of me.”
What is sepsis?
SEPSIS is a killer condition triggered by an infection - including meningitis, pneumonia and urinary infections.
It's where the immune system goes into overdrive and attacks the body.
It can lead to organ failure and septic shock.
Signs in a child
Although sepsis is a rare condition, it can be deadly if not treated quickly.
According to the , you should take your child to A&E immediately if they feel "abnormally cold to touch" or is "very lethargic or difficult to wake".
Additionally, if your child has developed a blue tone to their skin, looks very pale or is "breathing very fast" then this is reason to call 999.
Another crucial symptom of sepsis is a "rash that does not fade when you press it".
You should also seek urgent medical attention by calling 111 if your child is finding it difficult to speak, making "grunting noises with every breath" or has developed a worryingly high or low temperature.
In older children, sepsis can also cause diarrhoea, less frequent urination, clammy skin and slurred speech.
Symptoms in babies
Due to their weak immune systems, parents of toddlers and babies have to be extra vigilant when looking out for symptoms of sepsis.
A temperature of over 39C or below 36C in babies aged three to six months warrants a call to 111.
If your child is struggling to eat or drink and not wet their nappy for over 12 hours, then this could also be a sign of the life-threatening condition.
You should also seek urgent medical attention if your baby has developed a bulging soft spot on their head.
Young children with sunken eyes who are physically weak, whining and crying could also be suffering from sepsis.
Harper developed a red rash on her back and a black rash on her face and arm, and doctors told Lori she was dangerously ill.
She was put into an induced coma and a specialist team spent 45 minutes trying to save her life.
But she was pronounced dead by doctors a little over two hours after being admitted to Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, near Falkirk, on March 8.
HOSPITAL'S RESPONSE
NHS Forth Valley is investigating the circumstances of Harper’s death.
A spokeswoman: “We are carrying out a full internal review into the care and treatment provided to this little girl and will share any learning with local staff and the child’s family.
“NHS Forth Valley supports the Scottish Patient Safety Programme which aims to improve the identification and treatment of sepsis amongst a wide range of healthcare professionals.”
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A raised almost £5000 for the family.
Lori said: ‘The day she died we took her to the doctor at 3.45pm, got to hospital at 4.30pm and she died at 6.45pm. I left with a lock of her hair and never saw her again.
“I don’t want this to happen to anyone else’s child.”
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