3 year old very ill and keeps sleeping

[amy1008]

DD is having a high fever since Saturday. There was no other symptoms on Saturday, just 40C and a bit upset. Vomited once on Sunday, about 10 times on Monday. We saw an emergency gp on Sunday and went to a&e on Monday. They had her urine and blood sugar tested. No obvious reason, and the vomit kind of stopped. Her temputure is kepted at 38 after carpol. They presumed it was viruses infection. So we were sent home.

The thing is, she refuses to eat or drink anything. All she dose since Sunday night is sleeping. I literally have to force her to drink. Managed to get about 400ml juice and water in. Vomited once. She had been awake for less than 1 hour today. Nothing could draw her attention. No crying, just sleep.

Should I take her back to hospital, or let her rest at home? She is not getting worse, only very difficult to wake. She used to be so energetic even when she was very ill and with a fever. I'm really worried now.

Op what a fabulous mum you are. It’s so easy to trust these professionals and think you’re troubling them. Well done on being the best advocate your daughter could wish for.
Wishing her a speedy recovery. And sending you big hugs. You must feel exhausted xx

Don't do that to yourself @amy1008 -that way madness lies.

It is not your job to tell them what tests they need to run, it's their job to listen to you when you repeatedly tell them there's something wrong and respond accordingly. Please don't take any responsibility on board for this, you've done everything you could and she's getting the help she needs thanks to your persistence.

Amy you shouldn’t have HAD to push them to do tests - it should have been bloody obvious.

If you have the strength and inclination I genuinely think you should complain. She shouldn’t have got to this stage, it should have been spotted much much earlier.

In fact this probably meets serious incident criteria (missed diagnosis/failure to commence treatment)

Only think about the positive which is that you were persistent enough to save her life. I honestly don't think you could have done any more. Hope they can find out the root cause. Prepare to feel more upset once she's better and you can crumple! Keep us posted x

That sounds so like my daughter when she had sepsis. Low blood pressure as her body went into septic shock. Her inflammation markers were sky high for 2 weeks. I hope she is on the sepsis pathway even if they aren't sure yet. Sepsis uk are a great helpline for independent advise.

Amy, take care of yourself as well as your dd .

Yet another thread where some posters have pushed firmly but kindly to help a mum get the care she needs for her daughter as well as idiots those that say over reacting.

I'm so glad she's in good hands now.

You must be in shock.

Low blood pressure is certainly indicative of sepsis

And dehydration I guess

Well done op for not letting the doctors fob you off. They're always so quick to say it's viral and to go home. You saved your dds life.

Your little DD is so lucky to have a mother who insisted on answers for her. You’ve done the right thing. Lots of love to you and her, hope she makes a speedy recovery now.

I hope today brings some improvement lass.

I’m so sorry your little one has been so poorly, I’ve just rechecked the thread after a couple of days. I posted at the start of your thread advising you to go A&E ( I’m a Dr) From what you said about sleeping 23/24 hours I knew there was something more to it I’m just sorry A&E didn’t pick this up earlier. I hope she gets well soon

I’ve only just seen this but wish your DD all the best OP, well done for taking her again when you were worried. Hope she gets well soon.

Hi everyone, just a bit of update. DD has woken up and off the ventilator this morning. She is well enough to feel angry and try to pull the tubes out. Drinking on her own, asking for an ice cream. She is still sleeping most of the time, but so much better than she first came in.

Drs are treating her for sepsis and possible Kawasaki disease.

Oh what a relief. I have been fretting over you both! Sounds silly maybe but there we are. I've kept checking for an update and I'm so pleased! How are you? Do they know why the sepsis?

Oh my goodness OP so glad she's on the up now. I hope you're taking care of yourself too - you've had a hell of a few days.

Presumably you’ll get blood tests and snot tests back tomorrow which might aid diagnosis

So glad she’s improving

Ps I’m not a medical professional - just a mum who has also sadly been through similar.

So so happy for you OP and for your little DD....☺️...💐

Ask for a chest x Ray. She could have pneumonia. I hope you get some answers.

Get a notebook and start writing things down. Everything you remember.
Every time a doctor comes in, take notes of their name, all the tests being done, what they are saying and answers.

Good luck, I hope she recovers soon x

Thanks for the advice, taking notes now.

She had an X ray today, the lungs are fine. Drs began to think it started from UTI. She complained about pain down there and refused to wee about 3 week ago. GP examed her and check her urine, all clear. The pain went away in about 3 days. I thought it was settled, apperently NOT.

You are definitely right to keep going back if you feel a child (or yourself) is t improving. But screaming for PALS and various other avenues of complaint is not always necessary. She wasn’t this sick day 1, or day 2. If they admitted every viral infection on day 1 in case they got worse- no child would ever be seen at a hospital. That’s why you persevere if necessary. It doesn’t mean anything f was done wrong- it’s a medical co diction that has changed and deteriorated. Not necessarily a mistake.

Glad she’s on the mend

So glad to hear she is improving.
Re PALS etc, it may be worth asking for a case review so someone can objectively see if interventions or tests were not done early enough and if opportunities to detect/diagnose and treat earlier were missed.