Cwmbran boy Kayden Hall, 11, died after undiagnosed diabetes

[Northerner]

AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy from Cwmbran died as a result of undiagnosed diabetes, a coroner has found.

Kayden Hall, of East Roedin in Coed Eva, died in the early hours of June 5 last year at University Hospital Wales, having been unwell for several days.

His mum, Melanie Hall, described him as “a bright child” who “was loved by his friends and his teachers” and “loved playing with his siblings”.


Newport Coroners Court heard how, at around tea time on Monday, June 1, last year, Kayden said he was feeling unwell and had a tight chest. He also said he was dehydrated and was drinking “a lot more than usual”.

This continued for a few days.

His temperature was at a normal level though, and Ms Hall said, via a statement read out to the court, she didn’t call the GP or hospital as she thought she couldn’t unless he had a temperature, and that, due to the pandemic, she thought she would not be able to access medical care.

Cwmbran boy who was 'loved by all' died aged 11 following undiagnosed diabetes

AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy from Cwmbran died as a result of undiagnosed diabetes, a coroner has found.

www.southwalesargus.co.uk

So terribly sad

 

[Ljc]

So terribly sad

 

[mikeyB]

If she had described her son’s symptoms to 111, it would have triggered one of their algorithms and he would still be with us.

That’s not me being harsh, but where did common sense go?

 

[Drummer]

I have just sat through almost an hour of waiting to get through to the GP surgery reception (only to be told they cannot help) there was a constant repetition of a recorded message to do with emergencies and Covid.
Yes, in normal times there might have been a different outcome, but even now, access to everything is so restricted. I have been unable to get my Thyroxine tablets because the prescription wasn't done and now there is a huge queue at the clinic. My husband was out of the house for over 2 hours, it is only 5 minutes away so he stood in the queue for over 90 minutes and there were over a dozen people ahead of him when he gave up and came home.

 

[Lucyr]

There’s no accounting for stupidity, is there? If she had described her son’s symptoms to 111, it would have triggered one of their algorithms and he would still be with us.

That’s not me being harsh, but where did common sense go?

You say “if she had described his symptoms to 111” like you expect to be able to call and speak to someone. It isn’t that easy, last time I called 111 two weeks ago it was just endless messages about how busy they are and Covid, and after hours on hold I hadn’t got through to anyone and we gave up, hoping that the person out of breath just lying in bed (but normal o2 sats and peak flow hence not calling an ambulance) would feel better in the morning…

 

[mikeyB]

Ringing 111 is normal even in Covid times. Not for prescriptions, mind. I just order my medication from Echo, it just arrives with the post. The insulin even comes in refrigerated packing.

 

[Inka]

Gut-wrenchingly tragic - poor boy. This keeps happening - children dying of undiagnosed diabetes. This is why I wish Diabetes U.K. ‘s poster campaign was put on little cards like the meningitis symptoms.

In this case it sounds like there were additional issues too:

“Dr Andrew Bamber, a consultant paediatric pathologist, confirmed Kayden had undiagnosed diabetes, however, he also found the schoolboy had “a number of other complications from diabetes”, including aspiration pneumonia, caused by breathing in vomit; an inflammation of the pancreas, most likely pancreatitis; and damage to the oesophagus – which he said had “never seen it or heard it described in a child before”… A child with these complications, even if he had gone to hospital earlier that day or the day before, these things had already started," he said. "It’s absolutely possible he would have died.”

A tragic loss of life. So very sad.

 

[nonethewiser]

Poor lady feel for her loss, so so sad.

 

[Ditto]

I want to blame somebody. That poor family.