A BABY who was “always smiling” died after doctors missed signs of a heart condition despite his parents taking him to A&E more than 10 times.
Archie Squire was rushed to hospital many times in his first and only year of life but medical staff ignored his mum and dad’s concerns, an inquest is expected to hear.
3
3
The tot, from Kent, presented with constipation and breathlessness but his symptoms were dismissed as nothing more than a chest infection, according to his parents.
Lauren Parrish and Jake Squire claim Archie was discharged on several occasions and diagnosed with the common respiratory infection bronchiolitis.
In November last year, he was admitted a final time to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother hospital in Margate with constipation and vomiting.
But, tragically, just three days after his first birthday, he died from two separate cardiac arrests.
A postmortem found Archie had a rare heart condition, called isolated cardiac ventricular inversion, which had gone undetected.
This occurs when the chambers of the heart — the ventricles — are in the wrong positions, meaning the left atrium enters the right ventricle and the right atrium enters the left ventricle.
Studies have suggested less than 50 cases of isolated ventricular inversion have been reported globally since 1966.
An East Kent Hospitals Trust investigation into the death, ordered by the coroner, has reportedly found there were “missed opportunities” to recognise an “abnormal cardiac shadow” on an X-ray in October 2023.
An ECHO — a scan used to look at the heart — was said to have been ordered in the same month but wasn’t requested as urgent.
At the time of his death, Archie had still not undergone the ECHO.
Faults were also reportedly found in other aspects of Archie’s care.
These included delays in accepting GP referrals, clinic letters, previous attendances and admissions not being reviewed and medical information not always appropriately shared.
Sarah Hayes, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at East Kent Hospital said: “Our hearts go out to Archie’s family and we are so sorry for their devastating loss.
“We will do all we can to support Archie’s family and the coroner’s investigation.”
The lengthy 89-page report prepared ahead of Archie’s inquest also claimed medics didn’t consider a wider diagnosis beyond bronchiolitis.
Archie’s parents described him as a “happy little lad who was always smiling”.
He is survived by his younger brother Albie, mum and dad.
The pre-inquest review hearing into his death will be held today at North East Kent Coroner’s Court.
3
