16-Month-Old Dies of Pneumonia After Cold Symptoms in UK
Mother Warns: "Minor Symptoms Can Be Signs of Serious Illness"
In the United Kingdom, a 16-month-old infant passed away from pneumonia after experiencing symptoms such as coughing and fever. The child's mother urged that even mild cold symptoms should not be overlooked and emphasized the need for proactive response.
In the UK, a tragic incident occurred where 16-month-old Ophelia Lily Ada Phipfield passed away from pneumonia after experiencing mild cold symptoms. The child's mother, Lisa Phipfield, emphasized the need for proactive measures. Lisa Phipfield Instagram
According to recent reports from local media outlets in the UK, including WalesOnline, Lisa Phipfield, 36, who lives between Essex, UK, and Spain, lost her 16-month-old daughter, Ophelia Lily Ada Phipfield, to pneumonia in February.
Ophelia had been generally healthy, but after her first birthday and starting daycare, she began to experience frequent health issues. Over the following three months, Ophelia repeatedly suffered from respiratory infections, as well as eye and ear infections, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Lisa said, "I thought it was common for children attending daycare to get sick often," and added, "From that point on, we started visiting the hospital repeatedly."
In particular, Ophelia had to visit the hospital for three months due to intermittent coughing. Lisa requested chest examinations every time she visited family medicine or the emergency room, but the medical staff did not conduct additional tests, stating that nothing was abnormal upon auscultation.
At one point, Ophelia showed symptoms of blood-streaked phlegm and vomiting while at daycare, prompting a visit to the emergency room. However, the medical staff did not consider the situation serious, noting that the child was active and appeared to be in good condition. No chest X-rays or detailed examinations were performed.
Lisa recalled that the day before Ophelia's death, she vomited in bed and appeared more lethargic than usual, along with a fever. Lisa noticed an unusual sound in her daughter's chest and stayed by her side all night, monitoring her condition.
On the day of her death, between 6 and 7 a.m., Lisa's husband found Ophelia unresponsive while lying in bed. The parents immediately attempted CPR, and the emergency responders who arrived continued resuscitation efforts, but Ophelia passed away around 9 a.m.
Ophelia's cause of death was initially recorded as sudden infant or child death, but an autopsy later confirmed pneumonia. Lisa described the loss of her daughter as "a shock like being stabbed in the chest."
Lisa stated, "Minor symptoms can be signs of serious illnesses like pneumonia," and added, "Ophelia also passed away within just one or two hours." She continued, "Parents should trust their instincts and demand tests, and if necessary, seek out another doctor."
After her daughter's death, Lisa created a social media account to raise awareness of pneumonia symptoms in children, such as coughing, fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and fatigue. She also established the Ophelia's Wings Foundation to support families who have lost children. Lisa said, "By continuing to share my grief, I want to help families all over the world."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
