A 7-month-old baby boy was sent home with paracetamol for teething but only three days later, he passed away from meningitis.
Malakai Paraone’s parents rushed him to the doctor after he developed a rash and a fever. But baby Malakai was sent away so they tried two different hospitals, which also dismissed their baby as having teething problems.
Only three days after he was seen by a doctor, Malakai passed away from meningococcal meningitis.
7News reported that the inquest into his death was held in Perth, Australia. It was found that medics failed to recognize the symptoms when Malakai was sent home from Princess Margaret Hospital and Midland Hospital.
It was only after a third visit to the hospital that doctors realized the severity of the child’s condition and it was already too late.
Malakai was rushed to Princess Margaret Hospital where he passed away.
Dr. William Holloway from PMH said that the lack of consistency in the baby’s treatment at different hospitals could be a contributory factor in his young life ‘falling through the cracks.’
He also said to the coroner that to stop such incidents from happening again, the illnesses of children should be followed up at the same hospital or by the same doctor for treatment consistency.
The baby’s family is calling for changes to the Australian medical system. They also set up a GoFundMe page after Malakai passed away.
Meningitis can be mistaken as flu or hangover. Knowing its symptoms could save your life. The signs include a high fever, headache, blotchy rash that doesn’t disappear when a glass is rolled over it, cold feet and hands, and stiffness. Other symptoms are drowsiness, sensitivity to bright lights, and seizures.
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