Baby who died from meningitis may have been saved if tested sooner, inquest finds

A five-month-old baby girl who died from meningitis may have been saved if hospital staff had tested her earlier, rather than attributing her symptoms to coronavirus, an inquest has found. Esta High died at Leeds General Infirmary in November 2023, after being treated for suspected Covid-19 instead of receiving timely testing and treatment for bacterial meningitis. The inquest, held at Wakefield coroner’s court, concluded that Esta’s death was caused by natural means but was significantly influenced by neglect. The jury stated that if appropriate care had been given, it would likely have saved or prolonged her life. Esta’s parents, Lynsey Carr and Leon High, testified that medical staff dismissed their concerns about their daughter’s condition, leading to delays in critical treatment. Esta was taken to the emergency department on 31 October 2023 with a high fever and vomiting. She tested positive for coronavirus, and hospital staff initially focused on managing her symptoms under the assumption of a Covid-19 infection. However, her condition worsened over the following days. According to the inquest, her parents repeatedly expressed concern about her deteriorating health, including the appearance of a rash and signs of possible seizures. Despite these warnings, they said hospital staff did not act promptly. Carr described the time Esta spent in the children’s assessment and treatment (CAT) unit as “15 hours that were filled with missed opportunities.” She said that staff appeared more concerned with isolating Esta due to the perceived risk of spreading coronavirus than addressing her worsening symptoms. By late afternoon on 2 November, Esta was unresponsive, and scans revealed evidence of meningoencephalitis and streptococcus pneumoniae. She was transferred to intensive care, but efforts to save her life were unsuccessful. Esta died on 6 November. Carr said her daughter had been left untreated for 55 hours before receiving any intervention. She described Esta as “bright, beautiful and perfect from the first moment” and expressed deep sorrow over losing her child. In a statement read outside court, Carr said that the decision to withdraw life support, based on the advice of intensive care staff, was heartbreaking. She emphasized that parents know their children best and urged healthcare professionals to take parental concerns seriously. The inquest heard that lawyers representing Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust acknowledged that opportunities to diagnose the bacterial infection causing meningitis were missed. Dr Elizabeth Garthwaite, the chief medical officer at the trust, apologized for the failure in care and said the organization would review the inquest’s findings and recommendations to improve patient safety. The case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and the potential risks of misattributing symptoms to common illnesses such as coronavirus. It also underscores the need for healthcare providers to listen attentively to parental concerns, particularly when symptoms suggest a more severe underlying condition. The inquest’s findings are expected to lead to changes in hospital protocols to ensure that similar situations are avoided in the future. The trust has committed to considering the report’s recommendations and taking any necessary steps to enhance patient care and safety.