Close call for misdiagnosed child
FOR young parents Nathan and Allira Baker, both 18, the last few weeks have been the most distressing time of their lives.
Their first child, son Xavier Griffiths-Baker became ill two weeks ago and the worried parents did what they thought was best - they took him to the Gympie Hospital emergency department.
Something they say they will never do again.
What ensued after their first visit to the hospital was to them a series of bungles that resulted in their 18-months-old son becoming critically ill and ultimately being transferred to the Brisbane Mater Children's Hospital Intensive Care Unit.
He was ultimately diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and swine flu.
"What were we supposed to do?" Mrs Baker asked.
"He was vomiting and had no pooey nappies for three to four days.
"He would drink a lot of water and pee a lot but he couldn't keep anything down.
"He also had a bad cough, was vomiting and had a bad case of thrush."
But upon first presentation at the Gympie Hospital, they say doctors did not complete a proper examination and sent him home saying he was dehydrated and had nappy rash.
The next night when he was still unwell they took him back and doctors gave Xavier an ice-block to try and re-hydrate him.
"We asked for a second opinion," Mrs Baker said.
However, the doctors would not look at him again.
Mrs Baker claims another two trips to the hospital, after Xavier collapsed from exhaustion, finally resulted in some action when Mrs Baker refused to leave.
Then doctors took little Xavier's blood sugar levels which Mrs Baker said peaked at 33 - and they diagnosed him with type 1 diabetes.
"He had lost five to six kilos, all the signs were there but they didn't pick it up," she said.
"It was the most terrifying experience."
At once Xavier was rushed to Nambour Hospital and then on to the Mater in Brisbane, where he was diagnosed with swine flu.
"He's my first child, my pride and joy and it was very close to something bad happening," Mrs Baker said.
"But I had the feeling that something really was not right.
"I took him up there and they sent him home with no advice on how to stop him vomiting or a tablet until a later visit."
He remained in the ICU from last Monday until Tuesday and is slowly getting better.
The Bakers urge any parent who felt their concerns about a sick child were not being listened to, to keep pushing.
Mr Baker said he felt the Gympie Hospital doctors were rude and arrogant and did not take them seriously.
He said he would not go back to Gympie Hospital: "We'll take the kids to Nambour".
"We're not happy, when it's your kids you freak out. We didn't know what to do," Mrs Baker said.
Xavier's grandmother Denice Brown said as a nurse she was concerned there may be more cases.
"To see that happen disgusts me," she said.
"My grandson could have very easily lost his life.
"Is it going to take a tragedy like this to happen before they pick up their act?
"As a nurse I know they are under pressure, but that does not excuse the lack of care.
"As a nurse I am deeply disgusted to say I am a part of this so-called health system letting people down.
"A mother has a natural instinct to know when something is seriously wrong with her child.
"A lot of other young parents get pushed away. I say to keep pushing."
Diabetes facts:
In type 1 diabetes the pancreas stops making insulin.
Unless treated with daily insulin injections, dangerous chemicals are accumulated in the blood from breaking down fat - which is potentially life threatening if not treated.
Symptoms:
Being excessively thirsty, passing more urine, feeling tired and lethargic, always feeling hungry, having cuts that heal slowly, itching, skin infections, unexplained weight loss, mood swings, headaches, feeling dizzy and leg cramps.
