Latest news with #babyhealth
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Deanne thought her one-year-old daughter only had a cold. The reality was much much worse - and her little girl is still suffering agonising symptoms months later
A mum has revealed the horrifying moment her six-week-old baby girl went limp and stopped breathing less than two days after catching a cold. Adelaide nurse and mother-of-two Deanne Tingey thought her little girl, Winter, was suffering from a common cold in May last year. The 27-year-old told Daily Mail Australia that her daughter's initial symptoms included a runny nose and a slight cough. But as the day progressed, she started to go downhill. Ms Tingey said Winter wasn't eating as much as usual and her cough had developed, prompting her to book an appointment with her doctor. 'By the time we got to the GP, which was 2pm the following day, Winter had not fed at all in the morning and only had one wet nappy,' Ms Tingey said. 'My GP told me to take her straight to the emergency department. So from his office we went to the hospital.' Ms Tingey said by the time they arrived, Winter was struggling to breathe, drowsy, limp and gasping for air. In less than 24 hours, Winter was fighting for her life and was taken directly to the Resus Bay - a dedicated space in hospital emergency departments designed to provide treatment for patients with critical or life-threatening conditions. 'They put her on high-flow oxygen and put a gastric tube in her straight away,' Ms Tingey said. 'They started giving her Panadol, taking bloods, swabbing her and said she had the classic signs of RSV.' Doctors discovered Winter was suffering from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - a common illness that causes respiratory infections, especially in babies and young kids. The virus can also lead to serious illnesses including bronchiolitis and pneumonia. While most people experience mild, cold-like symptoms, RSV can be fatal for infants or cause serious complications and long-term respiratory problems into adulthood. 'I kind of felt like a failure, because being a nurse, I should have looked out for those signs,' Ms Tingey said. 'Just watching her struggle so badly, it was absolutely heartbreaking. It's actually one of the worst things that I've ever seen.' Ms Tingey remembers the doctors explaining that the 'entire ward was full of babies with RSV'. Doctors discharged Winter 24 hours after she had arrived at hospital - a decision Ms Tingey felt was wrong. The concerned mother rushed her baby back to the hospital once more, just six hours after being discharged when she started to go blue and was very limp. 'I was hesitant to take her home, but I agreed to take her home because I had doctors telling me she'll be fine at home,' Ms Tingey said. 'As a nurse I felt annoyed at myself but when it's your own child you don't think about it in nursing terms. In that moment I was a mother, not a nurse. 'But there was a part of me that thought this is too early. I'm just glad that I took her back.' Ms Tingey stayed in the hospital full-time with Winter for another week as she received treatment while her mum looked after her young son. Winter developed bronchiolitis - a chest infection that affects the small airways in the lungs - as a result of the RSV. She would also stop breathing during her sleep and had to wear an overnight sock that monitored her oxygen levels. Now, Winter, aged one, suffers from a chronic cough, still stops breathing during her sleep, has difficulties swallowing and has a rattling sound in her chest. She also has to drink thickened milk and thickened water to stop her from choking when she drinks as her airway kept collapsing when she had RSV. Winter is set to have a surgery to secure her airway, known as a tracheoplasty, once she gains another two kilograms and reaches 10kg. Ms Tingey described her little girl as an 'absolute firecracker' who is 'full of sass'. The young mum said she wants to raise awareness of RSV and urged parents across the country to learn how to recognise the early signs. 'The amount of people that still don't even know what RSV is, blows my mind,' Ms Tingey said. 'Please know what the signs and symptoms are. Know that there's help available and get your child checked early if they start to sniffle or look like they're sick.' She also urged parents to 'advocate' for their children and to trust their gut instincts when they feel something my not be right. Cases of RSV are expected to surge as Australia heads into the cooler months, with RSV awareness week marked on the first week of winter from June 1 to 7. RSV is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and result in more hospitalisations in infants and young children than influenza 1, 2, 3 and 4. In Australia, infants under 12 months are more than 12 times as likely to be admitted to hospital with RSV than those aged between one and four years old. Last year, more than 170,000 RSV cases were reported, with 50 per cent of those in infants and children aged between zero and four years old. To date, more than 50,000 cases of RSV have been reported since the beginning of the year. Babies with mild symptoms of RSV need small, regular amounts of fluid including breastmilk or infant formula. A parent should call Triple Zero or got o a hospital emergency department immediately if their child is showing severe symptoms. Severe symptoms include difficulty breathing, grunting noises while breathing, dehydration - when a child is not taking in enough fluids - and blue-coloured lips or skin.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders' Lauren Branning and Peter Beale left in shock as baby Jimmy's devastating health condition is confirmed
EASTENDERS' Lauren Branning and Peter Beale are rocked next week as they receive heart-breaking news about baby Jimmy's health. The young parents are left reeling when doctors deliver a crushing diagnosis following a hospital visit, throwing their world into chaos. 6 6 Next week on EastEnders, Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) is cracking under the pressure of new mum life - and fears she's failing baby Jimmy. The struggling mum is clearly overwhelmed as she tries to adjust, with Peter (Thomas Law) doing his best to keep things afloat behind the scenes. But while he's lending a helping hand, he's secretly fretting over Lauren's past battle with addiction and whether history might repeat itself. Things get worse after an awkward run-in with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), who begs Lauren to convince Peter to let her back into their lives. The stress leaves Lauren in tears, convinced she's not cut out for motherhood. Luckily, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) arrives with a thoughtful gift - and a bit of tough love. Spotting the signs, she sends Peter out and opens up about her own demons in a heart-to-heart that gives Lauren a much-needed confidence boost. Linda urges her to trust her gut - especially when it comes to worrying signs about baby Jimmy. Tensions rise as Lauren and Peter prepare for their health visitor appointment, with the couple at odds over their baby's health. Lauren is growing frustrated after Belinda, the health visitor, dismisses her worries about Jimmy. EastEnders legend set for heartbreak as she makes shock decision amid secret affair But Peter becomes more concerned when Belinda privately hints that Lauren may be suffering from post-natal depression. Meanwhile, Cindy has her own agenda, urging Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) to join her in supporting Peter through this tough time - though he's not exactly on board. Later, Lauren grows increasingly worried when she notices something troubling about Jimmy's eyes. Fearing the worst, she rushes to the hospital for an emergency appointment, convinced that Jimmy may be losing his sight. Soap's most harrowing teen storylines We take a look at other harrowing teen soap storylines from soaps Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Belle Dingle's schizophrenia in Emmerdale - Belle's (Eden Taylor-Draper) traumatic journey in Emmerdale took a dark turn when, after accidentally killing her best friend Gemma at just 16, her mental health began to spiral. The storyline, which saw Belle struggling with her grief and guilt, showcased her battle with hearing Gemma's voice inside her head, leading to a dramatic decline in her well-being. Hannah Ashworth's anorexia in Hollyoaks - Viewers were horrified as they watched Hannah (Emma Rigby), a seemingly innocent teen, spiral into dangerous behavior, starving herself in an attempt to achieve what she thought was the ideal body. As Hannah's condition worsened, the storyline became more intense, culminating in her being hospitalised for two months as she fought for her life. Bethany Platt's grooming ordeal in Coronation Street - Vulnerable schoolgirl, played by Lucy Fallon, was at the centre of one of Corrie's darkest storylines to date when she fell under the spell of her older boyfriend and sexual predator. The controversial scenes saw Nathan groom and manipulate the 16-year-old before coercing her into sleeping with his friends, with one of them raping her. Whitney Dean's abuse from Tony in EastEnders - Since the age of 12, she had been in a twisted relationship with her stepmum Bianca's boyfriend, Tony King. The predator had groomed young Whit (Shona McGarty), making her believe she was in love and planning to run away with him. On her 16th birthday, the traumatised teen finally revealed the years of abuse to Bianca. Tony was swiftly sent to prison sentenced for 13 years. At the hospital, Lauren is frantic, demanding that someone examine baby Jimmy after growing increasingly concerned about his health. Back at home, Peter panics when he returns with Louie to find Lauren missing, and his worry intensifies when Louie innocently mentions seeing Lauren take pills. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Lauren's anxiety catches the attention of her midwife, Hannan, who steps in and contacts Peter. He arrives at the hospital with Ian and Linda, but is shocked when Lauren defends herself, adamant that she hasn't relapsed. Hannan, however, takes Lauren's concerns seriously and arranges for a consultant to examine Jimmy. When Consultant Miss Ayub examines the baby's eyes, the devastating news comes: Jimmy is severely sight-impaired. Lauren and Peter are left utterly stunned, struggling to comprehend the diagnosis and what this means for their son's future. After receiving the heart-wrenching news about Jimmy, Lauren returns home to the Square with her son, still grappling with the weight of the diagnosis. She confides in Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), sharing her fears and doubts, seeking comfort in the close bond they've always shared. Later, she opens up to Lily Slater (Lillia Turner), who offers her support in a tender moment of understanding. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Lauren tries to reassure Peter, urging him to believe that everything will be okay. As the couple shares a deeply emotional moment, they both struggle to come to terms with their new reality, but Lauren is determined to stay strong for their family. Could this be just the beginning of a much bigger battle? EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. 6 6 6 6
Malay Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Melaka Hospital under probe after baby with 40°C fever reportedly left untreated for 11 hours before seizure
MELAKA, May 12 — The Melaka State Health Department has been instructed to investigate claims that a 22-month-old baby girl suffering from a high fever was left in pain for 11 hours before experiencing a seizure at Melaka Hospital early yesterday morning. Bernama reported State Executive Councillor for Health, Human Resources and Unity, Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem, saying he is aware of the viral case and has called for an immediate and thorough investigation. 'I have contacted the Melaka Health Director (Dr Ruzita Mustaffa) as well as the top management of Melaka Hospital and asked them to conduct an investigation into this case. At the same time, I urge the public not to make assumptions until the investigation is complete,' he said when contacted today. Earlier, a 13-minute video went viral showing the baby crying in pain, prompting emotional reactions from social media users and calls for the incident to be investigated. The baby's mother, Siti Aishah Rahim, 27, wrote on Facebook that she and her mother arrived at the Emergency and Trauma Department of Melaka Hospital at 2.30pm on Saturday after her eldest child, Siti Farha Adelia Mohd Firdaus, suddenly developed a high fever. She claimed that upon arrival, a nurse only took a blood sample and then left them waiting as her daughter's temperature rose to 40 degrees Celsius. 'I kept asking but was told to continue waiting, until my baby suffered a seizure at 1am yesterday (Sunday), which caused her body to stiffen,' she said, adding that her daughter was then transferred from the Green Zone to the Yellow Zone after her condition worsened, before doctors attempted to stabilise her.
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I had my baby's ears pierced but when she began wheezing docs found earring in her LUNG – I still bought her a new pair
TAKING her phone out, Suzanne Boyd snaps a photo of her baby girl's newly pierced ears. Admiring the brand-new pearl studs, her dad Tyrell, 38, was equally chuffed with their daughter Raelyn's new bling. 8 8 "She looks like a princess," he says while holding their daughter with Suzanne, 36, agreeing she's 'definitely the prettiest baby in town.' Little did the doting mum and dad know that the seemingly innocent decision to pierce their daughter's ears at three months old would leave the tot fighting for her life. It was nine months later, when Raelyn had turned one, that the family was thrown into peril. 'I was doing my regular morning routine when I heard my husband shout,' Suzanne says. TERRIFYING WHEEZING 'Tyrell was feeding Raelyn and asked if I could hear what he could. 'That's when I first heard it, a wheezing, loud noise coming out of my little girl. 'I was terrified. Raelyn was fine one moment, and the next she was making these noises as if she couldn't breathe. 'Raelyn was normally a happy and healthy baby, and she was still acting like her usual self, so I thought it might pass soon.' Believing that her wheezing might be down to flu season, the couple decided to take their daughter to the doctor to be on the safe side. 'My little one was put on steroid treatment and we were happy thinking this was the end of the ordeal,' Suzanne, from Augusta, Georgia, says. 'We carried on with our everyday lives but I couldn't help being a paranoid mum when Raelyn's breathing wasn't getting any better. 'I hated seeing her like this and not knowing what's wrong.' The couple rushed their little girl back to the paediatrician when her breathing hadn't improved a week later. The doctor recommended an X-ray to rule out any possible causes, but the mum and dad couldn't have expected what came next. 'My stomach dropped when I looked at the X-ray and saw the tiny object,' stay-at-home mum Suzanne says. HORROR X-RAY 'It was the back of the earring, I couldn't understand how it could have possibly got there. 'We had Raelyn's ears pierced when she was three months old but we have always been careful. 'She is not strong enough to take off her own earring.' 8 8 Suzanne and church facilities coordinator Tyrell were told to go home and wait for her to pass the earring, but 20 minutes later, they got a phone call from the doctor. 'He explained that the earring might be stuck in Raelyn's lung and that we should take her to the hospital immediately,' the mum says. 'His words sent shivers all over me and we changed route heading for the children's hospital. 'I was thinking of every possible scenario and all the things that could go wrong. 'I looked at Raelyn sitting in the back seat, making the rattling noise which filled me with more worry with every breath.' At the hospital, a second X-ray confirmed the earring was lodged in Raelyn's right lung. 'I explained to the doctor that it was the back of an earring and that I don't even wear earrings in case she pulls them out,' Suzanne. EMERGENCY SURGERY The doctor said that Raelyn would need surgery to remove the earring from the lung using a magnet. 'I hated the idea of my baby being put under anaesthesia at just one year old,' the mum admits. 'We were baffled as to how the earring had ended up in her lung if she had swallowed it.' Doctors explained that while they were unsure, Raelyn may well have inhaled it through her nose and they were lucky she hadn't developed pneumonia. 'I couldn't believe it, we vacuum the house every day to make sure things like this don't happen,' Suzanne says. 'I thought it could have been asthma as I am also asthmatic, but I never expected it to be an earring. 'Tyrell tried to reassure me, but the mum-guilt started taking over me as I watched my little girl being taken to surgery. 'I know she likes to rub the back of her ear as a comfort, so she must have pulled the back of the earring herself. 'She always used to pull on my earrings which is why I took them out, but didn't expect her to pull out her own.' Suzanne and Tyrell sat in the waiting room for two long hours before they were reunited with their daughter. 'I felt tears of joy when my little girl was returned to me safe and sound,' the mum says. "Doctors explained that the earring was lodged deeper than they thought, and had to use a bigger magnet to fish it out. XX explain why they use a magnet XX 'We decided there and then that there would be no more earrings for our little one.' Raelyn was kept in overnight to make sure that she had fully recovered post-surgery. 'I looked at her lying in her little bed and thought about how strong she is, only a year old and been through so much,' Suzanne says. MAKING CHANGES 'I let out a big sigh when doctors said Raelyn is well enough to go home. 'In the car ride back home, I was happy but knew my next step as a mum is to make sure this doesn't happen again. 'I told Tyrell I would never wear earrings again and promised to vacuum the house twice a day from then on.' The couple spent the following few days baby-proofing every surface. 'But Raelyn looked so pretty with her pearl earrings, I couldn't bear leaving her without any jewellery,' Suzanne says. 'I bought her a new pair of pearl studs but this time they had screw-on backs, to make sure even our strong girl can't pull them off." A couple of weeks later, the couple returned for some further tests which showed Raelyn had a clean bill of health. 'We took Raelyn back home and could finally relax after the whole ordeal, knowing our baby is safe,' Suzanne says. 'It had been a very traumatic few weeks and I hate to think that at one point I thought I could lose my little girl because of an earring. "Weeks on from the operation, I watched Raelyn eat and play without any breathing problems, and thought how blessed we are that everything went back to normal. "I'm so proud of my baby girl. She's been so strong and I'll never let anything like this happen again.' 8 8
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Is Your Nursery Endangering Your Infant Or Toddler?
Give your newborn the healthiest, safest crib and nursery possible. getty Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting and fulfilling things you can do in your life. It can also be one of the scariest. You want to make all the best decisions possible for your baby and hope you have the best information for doing so. What if the details you hadn't considered endangers your child's health and safety? According to a new study from the University of Toronto published last month in Environmental Science & Technology, that might be the case. Mattresses and bedding are the potential hazards the report addressed, but there are others as well, as experts explain. The university study used samples from 25 bedrooms of children ranging in age from six months to four years in Toronto and Ottawa and detected elevated concentrations of dangerous chemicals in the rooms' air. In a companion study, the researchers went further, purchasing 16 mattresses to analyze for chemical emissions into the air. 'They varied in which chemicals of concern were in them and the levels. There was no pattern according to brand or price point,' explained research director Miriam Diamond, a professor in the college's School of the Environment. Nine of the mattresses had foam from Canada, she shared; the others had foam from US or of uncertain origin. All of their covers were made from imported textiles, she added. What about environmental certifications, I asked her? Could they provide assurance to parents that the mattresses they were purchasing were safe for their babies? 'No, unfortunately not,' she replied, noting that one out of two certified mattresses that her team tested did not meet the terms of the certification. 'We're most concerned with the very young as their organs and brains are still developing,' Diamond shared. So what can parents do to keep their babies healtheir and safer? First, she suggested purchasing neutral-colored bedding. 'Brightly colored items like sheets and sleepers could have higher levels of UV-filters to prevent the colors from fading.' She also suggested washing the bedding regularly. 'Washing removes some or most of the chemicals." Another suggestion the professor offered, 'Add an extra protective layer between the mattress and where the child sleeps. I recommend a cotton terrycloth towel. All textiles can accumulate a lot of these chemicals and especially terrycloth that has a high surface area.' Those too should get washed with the bedding. Jonsara Ruth, executive director of the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design in New York, had additional mattress shopping advice for parents: 'First and foremost, before purchasing, ask the manufacturer to ensure that there are no added flame retardants.' Avoid buying mattresses made of polyurethane or offering added chemical treatments such as 'Stain and Water Repellants,' she advised. In general, 'Beware of mattresses that claim fireproof, antimicrobial, or water-resistant,' she cautioned. Many manufacturers use fabrics with forever chemicals that are linked to childhood diseases, Ruth added. 'Even though it sounds convenient to have a moisture resistant cover on the mattress, avoid vinyl. Petrochemical ingredients used to make vinyl like vinyl chloride are carcinogenic, off gas VOCs and contain phthalates [forever chemicals] which are linked to cancer and developmental problems.' Healthier Alternatives 'Choose mattresses made with natural latex rubber, wool, or cotton fills. Healthy options can include coconut fiber, horsehair and natural latex rubber in filling, springs and insulator pads,' Ruth suggested. 'Thankfully there are several materials that are waterproof and stain resistant that do not contain harmful chemicals.' A few manufacturers make mattress covers and pads from wool, she noted. This naturally water-resistant material also regulates body temperature, 'so it is proven to be soothing to a sleeping infant whose body temperature fluctuates often during sleep and often wakes them up,' she noted. (There are very few things a new parent cherishes more than a baby sleeping longer!) 'Organic textiles eliminate the use of harmful chemicals throughout the production process,' she explained. 'Healthier sheets and blankets can be made of organic linen, hemp, cotton and wool.' Bonus Mattress And Bedding Tip You may be tempted to tuck your baby in with her favorite stuffies. This too can be problematic, Diamond commented. 'Declutter the sleeping area by minimizing stuffed animals, bumpers, etc.,' the professor advised. 'De-cluttering the bedroom is probably a good idea also. We found an association between several of the chemicals and the contents of the sleeping environment,' she added. Other Nursery Furniture Advice 'Furniture, especially cribs where babies spend the majority of time, is another category to be carefully considered,' Ruth commented. 'Laminated wood products often contain formaldehyde which is problematic – exposure to formaldehyde can lead to asthma and is linked to cancer. Also, the finishes used to protect wood are often based in petrochemicals, which contain chemicals of concern.' Since children often teethe or chew on the edge of a crib, it's better if that finish is not toxic, she added. There are several companies that make solid wood furniture that either has natural finishes or none at all that you can paint with zero VOC paints. 'Avoid any furniture made with compressed wood products, which often contain large amounts of glue/adhesive that can contain formaldehyde,' she cautioned. Ask a retailer or manufacturer for the product's ingredients or a safety data sheet to see what you're buying. Since those documents can be tricky for non-professionals to decipher, Ruth suggested these resources for new parents: Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Children's Environmental Health Network, and Made Safe. Shopping Tips Is buying these safer products – especially mattresses – likelier to cost more, I asked the Healthy Materials Lab director. Unfortunately, they do have higher price tags, she replied, but noted that there are a range of models, some less costly. When it comes to other nursery essentials, like cribs and changing tables, 'Buying second-life solid wood furniture is better because the off gassing from unhealthy finishes has already happened,' she suggested. These will also typically save you money (and be more environmentally friendly. Final Thoughts When it comes to the furnishings going into your baby's room, 'Manufacturers need to be more vigilant,' Diamond stated. Governments can play a role with more protective legislation. 'But governments can't do it all! Manufacturers need to take responsibility!' she concluded. *** Interviews were conducted by email in April and May 2025.
