A young mother is advising fellow parents to trust their instincts after medical professionals overlooked her baby’s serious health issue, mistaking it for a chest infection on multiple occasions. Ellie Stimson, 21, persisted in seeking help for her daughter, Isla-Rae Burton, despite being repeatedly sent home by doctors over an eight-month period. Eventually, Isla-Rae was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance where it was discovered that she had a collapsed lung, resulting in her spending six hours on life support.
At 11 months old, Isla-Rae now requires significant surgery for the collapsed lung and a rare condition called Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation (CPAM), which causes cysts in the lung. This condition, found in about three out of 100 individuals who have not undergone surgery for CPAM, can lead to severe complications like lung cancer and heart failure, according to the Asthma + Lung UK charity.
Expressing her concerns from her residence in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, Ellie emphasized the severity of the situation, mentioning that the delayed diagnosis could have been life-threatening. She criticized the medical oversight, stating that such mistakes should not occur, especially with a young child’s health at stake.
Ellie and her partner, Keiron Burton, became alarmed when Isla-Rae exhibited consistent wheezing, breathing difficulties, and mucus coughing following her birth in February of the previous year. Despite their concerns, doctors reassured them that Isla-Rae would likely outgrow the symptoms as she appeared to be a “happy baby.” The couple persisted in seeking medical attention, visiting a GP seven times and Royal Stoke University Hospital eight times, only to be told repeatedly that it was a chest infection and discharged.
After months of uncertainty, a breakthrough in October led to the diagnosis of CPAM, a condition that affects only one in 10,000 newborns, according to Asthma + Lung UK. Ellie expressed her frustration and disappointment at the delayed diagnosis, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention to prevent further breathing difficulties for Isla-Rae.
An earlier scan in May the previous year had allegedly shown shadows indicating the collapsed lung, which went unnoticed until later in the year by medical professionals. Royal Stoke University Hospital has acknowledged the family’s complaint and is actively investigating the case. Isla-Rae’s required surgery will be performed at a specialized center in Birmingham Children’s Hospital, but she is currently on a waiting list. To support their daughter, Ellie and Keiron have put their careers on hold and launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover living expenses.
Ann-Marie Riley, chief nurse at Royal Stoke University Hospital, assured that they are taking the family’s concerns seriously and are committed to investigating the matter thoroughly. They are in contact with Isla-Rae’s family to address their complaint and provide necessary support in this challenging time.