A toddler’s tragic death from sepsis, initially misdiagnosed as constipation, exposes alarming failures in pediatric medical care.
At a Glance
- Hudson Cole Perrins, 2, died from sepsis after being misdiagnosed with constipation
- The toddler had a complex medical history, including heart and bladder issues
- His family is seeking answers and accountability from the hospital
- This case echoes another tragedy where a 2-year-old girl died due to misdiagnosed sepsis
- Experts stress the importance of recognizing sepsis and following proper protocols
A Devastating Misdiagnosis
In a heart-wrenching case that underscores the critical need for improved medical evaluation, Hudson Cole Perrins, a 2-year-old boy with a complex medical history, died from sepsis after doctors initially diagnosed him with constipation. This tragic incident, occurring just a month before his third birthday, has left his family devastated and searching for answers.
Hudson was taken to Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital in the UK with stomach pains. Despite his pre-existing heart, bladder, and kidney issues, he was treated for constipation and discharged. His condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to his transfer to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where he tragically passed away after life support was withdrawn.
A doctor who treated a toddler before she died from sepsis has admitted he overlooked certain crucial steps as the young girl's health deteriorated in a regional NSW hospital. Via @AAPNewswire: https://t.co/kPg2AVR1LO
— Miklos Bolza (@miklosbolza) July 2, 2024
A Family’s Quest for Answers
Hudson’s mother, Kayleigh Taundry, is grappling with the loss and questioning the hospital’s approach. She believes the medical staff should have considered Hudson’s complex medical history and explored other potential diagnoses.
“The ground’s just opened up and we’ve all just fallen into a black hole, and we don’t want this to happen again,” Taundry said.
The family is particularly concerned about why no urine sample was taken and why other potential causes of pain were not investigated. They are also troubled by the lack of pain relief provided to Hudson during his ordeal. With the support of clinical negligence expert Michael Portman-Hann, the family is seeking accountability and hoping to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
A Disturbing Pattern
Hudson’s case bears a chilling resemblance to another tragic incident involving two-year-old Marcie Tadman. Marcie died at the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath after doctors failed to diagnose her sepsis, instead treating her for pneumonia. Despite being seen by seven doctors, Marcie succumbed to cardiac arrest, with a postmortem revealing she had died from a group-A streptococcus infection with secondary pneumonia.
The coroner in Marcie’s case ruled that she died from natural causes contributed to by neglect, citing a range of hospital failings. Expert witness Dr. Nelly Ninis highlighted systemic failures in the children’s ward and stated that Marcie’s death could have been prevented with proper adherence to guidelines.
The Urgent Need for Change
These tragic cases highlight the critical importance of recognizing sepsis and following proper protocols in pediatric care. Dr. Ron Daniels, a sepsis expert, emphasized the devastating consequences of failing to ‘think sepsis’ when a patient presents with signs of severe infection.
“Marcie’s tragic case shows that if healthcare professionals do not ‘think sepsis’ when a patient presents with signs of severe infection, the consequences can be devastating,” Daniels said.
An inquest into Hudson’s death is scheduled for December 5 and 9 at Black Country Coroner’s Court.
