Cause of death. Interpretation needed please.

[Maykid]

My 7 week old son died 35 years ago and I have some questions about the cause of his death.

The death certificate gave the following 3 causes..

1. Respiratory tract infection
2. Staphylococcal enterocolitis
3. Toxaemic shock

Am I correct in thinking that nowadays toxaemic shock would be called sepsis?

Also could the staphylococcal enterocolitis have been a secondary infection to the respiratory tract infection? I have struggled to understand how he got a bowel infection when everything was meticulously sterilised.

Thanks to any medical professional who can help me understand better.

Sending you & thoughts, I'm so sorry to hear about your beautiful son OP.

I've just lit a candle for you Stephen - you are loved.
Maykid I'm so sorry you went through this and continue to. I hope this forum helps

Xx

Maykid 💐 what a loving Mum you were to Stephen. Bless you both. X

What lovely people are on this forum, this has really helped.

@Maykid how very sad, you did everything you could. I'm so glad that you've eventually spoken about Stephen and had a few questions answered. You sound like a fantastic mother, I'm sure Stephen knew how much you loved him.

Here he is sleeping in his cot.

So sorry for your loss.

I am another one saying counselling is a good tool. Just give it a try. If you don't like it try another counsellor. I'm guessing it would be hard to find a friend or family member you can talk as openly to as a complete stranger who is paid to listen and who won't come out with all the usual cliched and unhelpful comments. Its also ok if you just cry through the first session - in fact its quite normal.

Good luck.

What a beautiful boy.

We nearly lost our first at birth his heart faltered and I was rushed for an ECS. I was so poorly I didn’t see him until he was six days old. He was touch and go a few times and regarded as “ failure to thrive “ I discovered when the GP left his notes. I spent a couple of hours before I read them but it did help. His Apgar scores were 0,2,4 at birth.

I wanted to say too that you won’t ever get over it but learn to live with it. I cried for my sister this week as it was her birthday. She died at 10 days old in hospital 59 years ago. I still feel sad about her. I was three when she was born. She didn’t come out of hospital and mum never really knew what happened other than if she had been born somewhere less remote she may have survived. For some strange reason we don’t have a photograph and dad had taken photos of me. I wish we had a photo.

Counselling may help you. I am so sorry for your loss.

Maykid Please reread Babdoc’s beautiful post over and over until the words become part of you. You were a wonderful mum. There was nothing more you could have done.

I’m so, so sorry your time with Stephen was so short. But I’m sure he knew how loved he was every day.

What a beautiful baby. I'm so, so sorry for the loss of little Stephen.

@Maykid what a lovely photo, Stephen looks like he was a very contented little boy.

He was beautiful and so content in the picture.

I have one DD after many losses - I will never forget them.

Lighting a candle later for Stephen. for you xxxx

What a gorgeous boy, he looks truest content and happy.

I'm welling up reading this. I am so sorry for your loss ❤️

What a beautiful baby boy. Stephen looks so content in your picture

Maykid, would you mind if I put up the link to the Sands charity for you? They support parents who have lost babies shortly after birth. You deserve help to heal.

www.sands.org.uk/support-you

Stephen's gorgeous Maykid

He was beautiful.
Thanks, I know of the Sands charity.