My little girl, just three years old, passed away unexpectedly in the hospital yesterday. After seeing her face start to swell, we called 111. They arranged a call with a doctor who found it unusual and advised us to head to A&E. Upon arrival, they took a swab, and the results showed she had Influenza B. The initial physician was uncertain about the puffiness, noting it didn’t seem typical for the flu, so they consulted a colleague. The second doctor was deeply concerned and immediately got her into a hospital bed. She was started on an IV drip and moved to the ward. Initially, she was monitored regularly overnight, but the staff often had trouble getting a reading for her oxygen levels and eventually just stopped trying. The equipment kept alarming, showing her respiratory rate (I believe) spiking to 180 or 190 before plummeting. The staff didn’t seem alarmed by these fluctuations. By the following day, she developed diarrhea after being given steroids for the swelling, which continued to intensify regardless. Unbeknownst to us, they were consulting with a different hospital. Our local doctor suspected enlarged lymph nodes and suggested an ultrasound, but the specialist at the other facility disagreed with that assessment. She was clearly in distress; the monitors kept losing her pulse signal, and several machines ran out of battery. We had to practically beg the staff to come in and check on her. Her vitals were still swinging between extremes. The ultrasound was scheduled for 3:30, but prior to that, a nurse arrived for a blood draw. My partner pointed out she was making strange sounds; he had to insist twice before they finally paid attention. She stopped breathing, and despite an hour of resuscitation efforts, she passed away. I believe she should have been transferred if they didn’t understand her condition. It felt like nobody realized just how critical her state was. Not a single person. I had actually sued this same hospital before for misdiagnosing me, so I’m haunted by why I let them care for my precious child. I regret not demanding a transfer. I only went there because it’s the only local option; reaching another facility would have taken hours. They have air transport for cases they can’t handle. She was on various medications, and I just feel completely failed. My daughter was perfectly healthy before this. She even recovered from Covid previously without needing any medical intervention. I don’t understand what the swelling was or why no one could fix it. (It began at her temple, spread to her cheek and neck, and then reached her eyes.)
I am incredibly sorry for your loss. Which country are you located in, and has the coroner’s office been notified? Was this a major facility with a pediatric department? Had she been officially admitted or was she still being treated in A&E?
My deepest condolences to you. Whether the ultrasound happened sooner or later likely wouldn’t have altered the outcome. Wishing you the best.
I am so heartbroken for you. As a pediatrician with a 2-year-old son myself, I can’t begin to fathom your pain. As mentioned by another doctor, HAE is a potential cause, though it’s extremely rare, especially since neither parent seems to have it. It wouldn’t be my first thought. Another possibility is PIMS (pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome). It usually follows Covid-19, but other viruses like Flu B can trigger it. The cause isn’t fully known, but it’s essentially an immune system overreaction leading to organ failure. These are my two theories. I’m so sorry, and I hope the autopsy provides some clarity.
I am deeply sorry for this tragedy. It is devastating, and I can’t imagine your grief. It is very rare for a healthy child to pass away in a hospital setting. I’m a UK emergency doctor. I won’t speculate on the cause, but I can explain the UK process. This will be referred to a coroner for a post-mortem to determine the cause of death. They will likely contact you to hear your account and concerns. If needed, a formal inquest will be opened, which can take months or years. This is where evidence is gathered to explain what happened and why, and the coroner can suggest improvements for the hospital. They focus on facts, not lawsuits. Has the hospital offered bereavement services? Do you have people supporting you?
This is absolutely heartbreaking. I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your beautiful child. 
