Mother's horror as child battling meningitis 'misdiagnosed with CHICKEN POX'
AN EXASPERATED mother has claimed her baby who has killer virus meningitis was misdiagnosed by a hospital as having chickenpox.
Bethany Brunton was adamant there was something seriously wrong with her baby
When Bethany Brunton, 17 took her child to South Tyneside District Hospital on April 7, doctors dismissed her saying baby Izabelle Bailey just had the non-llife threatening virus.
However, the young mother was sure there was something more seriously wrong with her daughter so returned the following day.
Doctors then carried out a lumber puncture and blood tests to discover the tot had the potentially lethal meningitis B plus septicaemia and she was transferred to Sunderland Royal.
Izabelle was discharged from hospital on her first birthday
We're so grateful she's back home with us
Ms Brunton is urging other parents to get their babies immunised with the Meningitis B vaccinations, which her baby missed out on by 13 days.
Izabelle was luckily discharged from hospital on Sunday, which was her first birthday.
The baby's mother is urging other parents to ensure their babies are vaccinated
Meningitis charity vows to 'keep fighting' for vaccine
Ms Brunton from South Shields said: "We're so grateful she's back home with us.
"She was allowed out of hospital late on Saturday night so she could wake up at home on Sunday morning which was her first birthday."
The mother added: "Izabelle missed out on the vaccination by a matter of days, due to her being born just before the cut off point.
Izabelle was born just before the vaccination cut off point
"If she's had that injection then we probably wouldn't have had to go through all of this.
"So I would urge other parents to get their babies vaccinated, it's just horrible."
An investigation has now been launched into the circumstances surrounding the initial diagnosis.
A spokesman for South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust said it is looking into the concerns and it will report back to her as soon as possible.