Boy, 15, collapsed and died during football game at school just days after doctors wrongly diagnosed him with asthma
A TEENAGE boy who collapsed and died during a football game at school was wrongly diagnosed with asthma just days before, an inquest heard.
Trafford
, on November 5 last year.
Advertisement
2
Jake Lawler was misdiagnosed with asthma a month before his death
Credit: c-r-y.org
2
The 15-year-old collapsed and died during a football game
Credit: Facebook
The court heard a month before his death he attended Wythenshawe Hospital complaining of shortness of breath while playing football.
The inquest was told Jake, from Sale, had collapsed on the pitch on October 13, 2024.
Alison Mutch, senior coroner for Manchester South, has now written in a Prevention of Future Death report.
She warned how medical professionals incorrectly diagnosed the teenager with exercise induced asthma.
Advertisement
Read More
According to the report, an "abnormal ECG" and an "exercise induced syncope episode", were not recognised or followed up on.
Medical history provided by Jake's father was also "not assessed correctly".
The coroner concluded
the abnormal ECG in combination with the teen's collapse "should have resulted in him being referred for an inpatient paediatric review and further testing".
And, when Jake was discharged, his ECG results were wrongly recorded as coming back "normal".
Advertisement
Most read in Football
Jake's GP prescribed him medication for the misdiagnosed asthma, but it did not seem to have any effect on the youngster.
A test for asthma was also conducted five days after Jake collapsed.
But the nurse referred him back to a doctor as they did not think he suffered from the condition.
The 15-year-old tragically died from a biventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy just a month later.
Advertisement
The coroner wrote in her report: "
It is probable that he would not have died on the day he did had the correct actions been taken.
"
Jake's collapse was incorrectly attributed to his exercise induced asthma."
In her report, four areas of concern were highlighted to help prevent future deaths.
She stated Jake's ECG results were "key warning signs" that shouldn't have been missed, whether due to training or insufficient medical equipment.
Advertisement
Another "red flag event" laid out was "no clear national guidance" on the route to take after a paediatric exercise induced syncope.
The third point spotlighted covered asthma treatment prescribed by the GP, which failed to elevate Jake's symptoms, and the asthma assessment.
"Jake was assessed by his GP practice using the national asthma scoring system," wrote the coroner.
"However, the scoring system does not appear to facilitate scoring for exercise induced asthma.
Advertisement
"In Jake's case the readings and answers pointed to a well-controlled asthma.
"This was at variance with the fact that his history indicated that he was continuing to struggle with his breathing when exercising and meant he did not trigger as a concern.
"This was exacerbated by the normal peak flow readings taken at rest which gave a falsely reassuring picture."
The coroner added there was a "lack of curiosity" and a "lack of appreciation" regarding how limiting the assessment was.
Advertisement
"In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths, and I believe you and/or your organisation have the power to take such action," she continued.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and GP Surgery have until July 4 later this year to respond to the report.
Jake's school said at the time of his tragic death: "Our school community was absolutely devastated by the loss of one of our much loved and precious students, Jake Lawler, who recently passed away in tragic circumstances.
"As a school, we keep his family and friends in our thoughts and continue to support our students and staff during this incredibly difficult time.
Advertisement
"We would also like to take this opportunity to share a link to Jake's memorial fund, set up by his family to raise awareness of a very worthy cause - CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).
"The
money
will go towards raising awareness of young sudden cardiac death as well as supporting the families affected, supporting their screening programme and funding research and pathology."
What is biventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
ACM is a condition where the cells in your heart muscle don't stick together properly.
The walls of your heart can become weak and blood may not be pumped as well as it should.
Your heart has four chambers. The top two are called the atria and the bottom two are called the ventricles. ACM can affect one or both of your ventricle chambers.
Jake suffered from biventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, meaning it affected both.
ACM is usually a genetic condition
which means if one of your parents have it, you have a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene that could cause ACM.
ACM symptoms
palpitations (a pounding or fluttering feeling in your chest or neck)
feeling lightheaded
fainting
feeling breathless or shortness of breath
abnormal heart rhythms (when your heart beats too fast, too slow or irregularly)
swollen ankles, legs or tummy area
feeling pain or discomfort in your chest.
How is ACM diagnosed?
Chest x-ray
Cardiac MRI scan
ECG (electrocardiogram)
Exercise test
Echocardiogram
How is ACM treated?
Medication
Pacemaker
ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator)
Cardioversion
Catheter ablation
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Teen, 19, dies after viral TikTok ‘dusting' challenge went wrong leaving family ‘utterly devastated'
A TEEN, 19, has died after taking part in the viral TikTok "dusting" challenge that went wrong, leaving her family "utterly devastated". Renna O'Rourke, from Arizona, tragically passed on Sunday after being in an intensive care unit for a week. 4 Renna O'Rourke, from Arizona, tragically passed on Sunday Credit: Facebook 4 Renna and her boyfriend used an app delivery service to have the cleaning agent delivered to their door Credit: Facebook 4 Renna went into cardiac arrest before later being declared brain dead Credit: YouTube Dusting involves young people inhaling aerosols like spray deodorant, paint thinner or keyboard cleaners. Renna went into cardiac arrest before later being declared brain dead after using a cleaning product to take part in the deadly challenge. The teen's heartbroken dad Aaron O'Rouke described how his daughter dreamed of fame. He told Aaron and his wife Dana shared their daughter's tragic story to raise awareness of the social media challenge. Dana said: "There's no ID required. It's odorless. It's everything kids look for. "They can afford it, they can get it, and it doesn't show in mom and dad's drug test." The mom explained how Renna and her boyfriend used an app delivery service to have the cleaning agent delivered to their door. Most read in The US Sun She told "We want to make sure that we use our tragedy so that no other parent has to experience looking at their child on life support and a ventilator and not breathing on her own all because she huffed out of a can." Pheobe Bishop cops arrest 34-year-old flatmate who was last to see missing Aussie teen on explosive journey to airport Dr. Randy Weisman, from the HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, explained how inhaling aerosols can make users feel drunk or euphoric for a few minutes. But such use can result in liver failure, heart failure and lung disease among other irreversible issues - or death. He told AZFamily: "This is extremely concerning. "When they inhale these chemicals in the gas it will actually replace the oxygen within their lungs and within the rest of their body." Renna's parents said that the only light to come from her passing is that her organs have gone on to save at least six other people. Mom Dana said: "Through that we're finding strength and purpose. "She will be unbelievably missed, leaving the most aching hole in our lives, but if her life is to mean anything, we are going to do what we can to prevent somebody else's child from being where ours is right now. "She will be unbelievably missed, leaving the most aching hole in our lives, but if her life is to mean anything, we are going to do what we can to prevent somebody else's child from being where ours is right now." A post on the Read more on the Irish Sun "She was the light in every room she walked into, and the pain that her family and friends feel is simply immeasurable. "We want to use the proceeds of this fundraiser to cover the extensive medical bills , burial costs, therapy costs, and to spread awareness about the dangers of Huffing/Dusting, the practice of inhaling keyboard cleaner or similar." 4 Renna's parents said that the only light to come from her passing is that her organs have gone on to save at least six other people Credit: Facebook
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Sentencing for garda who incited men to rape woman adjourned after he's hospitalised
Shane Flanagan (39) also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of four images of child sexual abuse material The sentence hearing for a garda who admitted inciting two other men to rape a woman and to impersonating her online has been adjourned as he is hospital. Shane Flanagan (39) with an address in Co. Clare pleaded guilty before the Central Criminal Court earlier this year to two counts of inciting two men to rape a woman on dates between November and December 2020. He also pleaded guilty to six counts of endangerment, in that he intentionally or recklessly engaged in impersonating the woman in Facebook communications, and on the website and in which communications invited persons unknown to visit violence upon her and two others, thereby creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm on dates between 2018 and 2020. Shane Flanagan News in 90 June 4th Flanagan also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of four images of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on January 7, 2021. Defence senior counsel Padraig Dwyer told the Central Criminal Court today that his client was not present as he had been admitted to hospital earlier this week. Mr Dwyer handed a medical report to the court. He asked Mr Justice Paul McDermott to adjourn the sentence hearing for two weeks when an updated medical report will be provided to the court. Mr Dwyer also told the court that his instructing solicitor would undertake to contact the Chief Solicitor's Office if his client was released from hospital. Anne-Marie Lawlor SC, prosecuting, said the complainant, who was in court, have been made aware of the situation. Mr Justice McDermott adjourned the case for mention later this month and directed an updated medical report should be provided to the court on that date. Ms Lawlor told the court during a previous hearing that the victim wishes to maintain her anonymity, but has no difficulty with Flanagan being identified.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Garda who incited two men to rape woman admitted to hospital
The sentence hearing for a garda who admitted inciting two other men to rape a woman and to impersonating her online has been adjourned as he is hospital. Shane Flanagan (39) with an address in Co. Clare pleaded guilty before the Central Criminal Court earlier this year to two counts of inciting two men to rape a woman on dates between November and December 2020. He also pleaded guilty to six counts of endangerment, in that he intentionally or recklessly engaged in impersonating the woman in Facebook communications, and on the website and in which communications invited persons unknown to visit violence upon her and two others, thereby creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm on dates between 2018 and 2020. Flanagan also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of four images of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on January 7, 2021. Defence senior counsel Padraig Dwyer told the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday that his client was not present as he had been admitted to hospital earlier this week. Mr Dwyer handed a medical report to the court. He asked Mr Justice Paul McDermott to adjourn the sentence hearing for two weeks when an updated medical report will be provided to the court. Mr Dwyer also told the court that his instructing solicitor would undertake to contact the Chief Solicitor's Office if his client was released from hospital. Anne-Marie Lawlor SC, prosecuting, said the complainant, who was in court, have been made aware of the situation. Mr Justice McDermott adjourned the case for mention later this month and directed an updated medical report should be provided to the court on that date. Ms Lawlor told the court during a previous hearing that the victim wishes to maintain her anonymity, but has no difficulty with Flanagan being identified.
