Toddler died after being sent home from hospital with 'viral infection'

26 January 2024 , 19:31

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While Jaime seemed to "perk up," he died days later after an aneurysm burst in his heart. (Image: uu)

A little toddler who was rushed to hospital after a temperature, red eyes and a rash died just a week after doctors allegedly sent him home with the diagnosis of a "viral infection".

In September 2017, Jaime Donnelly tragically died from a condition called Kawasaki Disease, which is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in under-fives. Mum Heather Hinshelwood took the six-month-old child to see medics before the pair were sent home with a viral infection diagnosis. While Jaime seemed to "perk up", he died days later after an aneurysm burst in his heart.

She said: "You just think it’s a virus and he will get better. When he came home from hospital, he was quite tired but seemed to perk up a wee bit but the damage was already done to his heart.

"Nothing can compare to losing a child, it was the worst time. You never get over the pain of losing a child. It was a horrendous time and so unexpected. Jaime was a great baby and his big brothers loved him. He was really happy and there were never any issues. He was lovely and beautiful, he was perfect."

Symptoms of the condition include red bloodshot eyes, red cracked lips and tongue, red swollen hands and feet, high fever and a rash involving much of the body. It can also cause blood vessels to become inflamed, with around one in four children affected developing heart complications.

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Heather added: "It was nice having my three boys before my world was turned upside down. It’s been hard for Jack and Josh as well, it’s a big thing to happen at their age.

Symptoms of the condition include red bloodshot eyes, red cracked lips and tongue, red swollen hands and feet, high fever and a rash involving much of the body (Daily Record WS)

She told GlasgowLive: "I was grieving but also worried for them. I’ve been denied the chance of seeing him grow up into a lovely boy and man like my other boys have grown into, I just feel cheated."

Friday January 26 marked International Kawasaki Awareness Day and Heather organised for Hamilton Town House to be lit up in red - the colour of support charity Societi - in memory of her baby boy.

"It’s quite rare but it still exists and it needs more awareness. Children can have heart problems for the rest of their life", the mum added.

Fahad Tariq