07 March 2024 , 09:39
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A one-year-old baby died after being found "floppy" in her bed following a family holiday to Turkey where she had become unwell, an inquest heard.
Penelope Collier-Johnson, who was 22 months old, was given CPR by her father and treated by paramedics but she was declared dead at Royal Bolton Hospital. The infant had been seen at her GP practice ten days before her death but she was sent home with a suspected viral infection, Bolton Coroners' Court was told.
Mum Naomie Collier, who has two other children, told the inquest in a statement, that sickness affected the whole family during a holiday in Turkey. After a few days, Penelope developed a cough with with a green-coloured discharge coming from her nose, said Ms Collier.
Temperatures in Turkey topped 40C and on a couple of occasions Penelope became 'very hot' but she 'started to pick up' by the end of the holiday, said Ms Collier. When they returned, Ms Collier said she was prescribed antibiotics after being told she had sinusitis while Penelope was diagnosed with a viral infection, the court was told.
Ms Collier said during the late morning of July 2, 2023, she noticed Penelope was. 'unsettled' at their home on Hawarden Street in Astley Bridge, Bolton. She put her down to sleep at 2pm as she appeared 'restless' but that later her partner went to check and noticed she had red cheeks. Her temperature was recorded as 38.8C, the inquest was told.
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She seemed to 'pick up' with medication, a meal of mashed up chicken was prepared for her and she was put to bed at at 7pm, the court heard. But when Penelope was checked at 7.50pm she was 'not right'. She was faced down and had 'gone floppy', said Ms Collier, reported the Manchester Evening News.
Her partner, Penelope's father Wesley Johnson, performed CPR and an ambulance was called, she said. Efforts to revive Penelope continued but she was declared dead at Royal Bolton Hospital. Dr Zulqurnain Ahmed, of Mandalay Medical Centre where Penelope was registered, said the infant was 'frequently' brought to the practice with coughs and colds but he added this was 'not uncommon'.
He confirmed Penelope was seen by an advanced nurse, not a doctor, at the practice on June 22 with 'flu-like symptoms' after returning from the holiday. He said her observations were 'normal' and that it was thought she had a viral upper respiratory tract infection.
Pressed by Mr Johnson, Dr Ahmed said at that time it was not thought to have been a bacterial infection which, unlike a viral infection, could have been treated with antibiotics. Asked why there had been no blood test ordered, Dr Ahmed said they could be 'quite traumatic' for children and it would need to be a 'quite severe' bacterial infection for such a test to be ordered.
He confirmed that, if he had seen Penelope, he would not have requested a blood test. "It wasn't thought a blood test would be useful at that stage," he said. Dr Gemma Petts, who carried out a post-mortem examination, said she found 'some fluid' in the lungs which was a sign of 'prolonged resuscitation'. She also found 'some inflammation that I would expect to see in viral infection'.
Dr Petts also found 'organic food-like material' which was 'wedged' in her airways. She said this was a 'not uncommon' finding following attempts at resuscitation. She also said it was possible Penelope had 'choked' on her own vomit but she stressed at that age Penelope, who was found face down, would have had to muscle strength to be able to move.
Penelope's spleen was 'slightly enlarged' which she said was probably due to infection, noting also that she was a 'well grown child' who may have been expected to have had a larger spleen. Analysis revealed the presence of what appeared to be Enterovirus, a group of viruses which cause the common cold, said Dr Petts.
The pathologist said there was no way for her to confirm or refute that Penelope had suffered a seizure nor evidence she had suffered sepsis. Tests had revealed no vitamin deficiency nor any genetic abnormality, she said. It was 'very unlikely' that 'environmental mould' found in the home would have caused a fungal chest infection especially in people who are fit and healthy, as she regarded Penelope except for her respiratory tract infection.
Dr Petts said she could not ascertain why Penelope had died at that time and she recorded the medical cause of death as 'unascertained'. Donna Kelty-Schofield, an environmental health officer at Bolton Council, told the inquest she carried out an inspection of the home under the Housing Act following a complaint about damp and mould at the property.
During the inspection on August 10 last year, 'penetrating damp' was found in the lounge although there was no mould. A patch of mould was found in the front bedroom, the inquest was told.
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Ms Kelty-Schofield said a notice was sent to the landlord and they wrote back to say the work had been completed, although the intention was to sell the property rather than continue to offer it for rent. Area Coroner Peter Sigee recorded the medical cause of death as 'unascertained natural cause', and a 'natural causes' conclusion. The family declined to comment after the hearing.
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity). You can call them on 0808 164 3332 or email [email protected].