A 14-year-old girl who went into hospital ‘laughing and singing’
died after suffering heart problems while under general anesthetic for a
routine MRI scan.
Alice
Sloman died at Torbay Hospital last Friday, three days after suffering a fatal
cardiac event while inside an MRI machine. Alice, who was getting checked for
suspected water on the brain, survived on life support for over 72 hours before
her organs shut down.
An
investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding Alice’s
death.
As
doctors fought to save Alice’s life, they discovered that Alice had an
underlying heart problem that meant her heart was weaker than that of the
average 14-year-old.
Her
heartbroken parents, Sarah and Nathan, of Torquay, Devon, have now spoken out
about their beloved daughter’s devastating death. Girl, six, died from sepsis
after hospital made ‘catalogue of mistakes’ Sarah, who has three other children
aged 19, 12, and six, said: ‘During the MRI her heart rate went sky high then
plummeted a number of times and her blood pressure fell through the
floor.
‘What was
supposed to be an investigation turned into a living nightmare. The liaise
doctor said we should prepare for the worst.’ Alice was a pupil at Combe
Pafford School in Torquay and had a number of health problems.
She was
autistic, was visually impaired and struggled with hypermobility.
Before
her death she had been suffering from headaches so her consultant suggested
having an MRI scan on October 16.
Doctors
decided to place the teenage girl under general anesthetic because she would
not have been able to cope with the scan.
Alice’s
condition deteriorated so rapidly she was transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital
for Children where she spent three days on life support and died on October 19,
surrounded by family.
Her
family are awaiting the results of her post mortem examination.
Sarah
said: ‘She went into hospital singing, laughing and being funny and then didn’t
come home.
‘It’s
like waking up to a nightmare every single day. Being Alice’s full-time carer I
am completely lost.
‘I’m
trying to muddle through for the sake of our other children but it’s so hard.
Sometimes I just can’t believe it’s true.
‘In my
handbag I still have the £10 her nanny Maud had given her by her bedside to buy
a new toy after the scan, and some chocolate.
‘I
promised she could have later because she was not allowed to eat before she
went in.’ When do clocks go back in October 2018 and forward again in
2019?
For the
past seven years Alice had been on growth hormones as she was small for her
age, and her parents believe the side effects of the medication impacted on her
health. Sarah said: ‘Alice didn’t produce growth hormone in her pituitary gland
so she was given a growth hormone injection every day.
‘Growth
hormones don’t just make a patient gain weight or height, it can grow every
part of the body including internal organs.
While on
life support, it was discovered Alice had a previously undiagnosed
cardiomyopathy – diseases of the heart muscles – and a possible diagnosis of
Noonan syndrome was given.
Noonan’s
syndrome is a genetic condition that can cause a wide range of distinctive
features and health problems.
It is
present from before birth, although milder cases may not be diagnosed until a
child gets older, and the most common features include unusual facial features,
restricted growth and heart defects.
Describing
the void that has been left behind following her death, Sarah said her daughter
was someone you never forgot once you met her.
‘She was
like a six-year-old as she was very playful and immature for her age,’ she
said.
‘Her room
is full of toys like Barbie dolls and Sylvanian Families.’
Sarah
added: ‘Our daughter has died and we don’t want another family to suffer how we
are right now.
‘Every
child’s heart should be checked to ensure they have a strong heart before any
anaesthetic is given.’
Jane
Viner, chief nurse at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘We
are currently investigating the very tragic death of Alice.
‘Alice
came to Torbay Hospital for a routine MRI scan, but during the procedure she
deteriorated and was immediately transferred to Bristol for specialist
intensive care.
‘Very
sadly and despite everyone’s best efforts, a few days later Alice died. Our
hearts go out to the family at this very difficult time.
‘As part
of our investigation, we have contacted Alice’s family to hear their concerns
and to share information about the care we provided.
‘We will
continue to be in contact as the investigation progresses and will share any
learning and recommendations that arise from the investigation with
them.”
A
JustGiving crowd funding page has been set up in memory of Alice along with a
Facebook page.
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