Health board investigates death of boy, six

HEALTH officials in the South Eastern Health Board area are investigating the sudden death of a six-year-old boy who was waiting to be seen by doctors at Waterford Regional Hospital.

They have also confirmed a toddler has died from meningitis.

The six-year-old became unwell at his home in Kilkenny, suffering from joint pain, and was brought to his GP. He was then referred to Waterford Regional Hospital for an out-patients appointment.

The boy died of an overwhelming infection but meningitis has been ruled out as a possible cause of death. “He was playing with toys in outpatients and took ill,” said the SEHB’s Dr Maura O’Connor.

“This child was in a good circumstance. The paediatric team and medics got to him quickly. He was in the best place when he did collapse but nothing could be done for him. It is a frightening situation.”

The lab is still working on tests and it is believed that the cause of death might be some sort of streptococcal bacteria.

“We don’t know why he went downhill so quickly. But his parents are going through hell,” Dr O’Connor said.

The health board has confirmed that a toddler has also died in the past few days from bacterial meningitis.

The five-month-old died in an ambulance en route to St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny from his home in Carlow late last week.

He was well when he went to bed but developed a high temperature during the night. Test results showed he died of bacterial meningitis, said Dr O’Connor.

“They got the child to their GP but he died in the ambulance,” she said.

Two other children have been struck with meningitis in the south east region in the past few days, but both recovered.

Dr O’Connor urged parents to watch for the symptoms. They include fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, neck pain and sensitivity to bright light. Joint pain may also be present.

“Babies won’t tell you they have a headache but can develop a high-pitch cry and get a fever. These should alert parents. A number do develop a rash, a tiny red rash which looks like pin pricks. If you press it with a glass, it is still visible,” said Dr O’Connor.