Pneumococcal Meningitis Case in Vigo: Infant’s Death and hospital response

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A five-month-old infant recently died at Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital in Vigo after contracting pneumococcal meningitis, a severe bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The child, whose family identified the case as SMS, passed away on December 10, just two days after hospital admission, following a stay in the Pediatric Emergency Room in the prior days. According to the family, the event began with bleeding, prompting a visit to the hospital on December 6 for symptoms including vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. After an initial examination, the child was sent home because no neck stiffness or meningeal signs were observed, and he appeared to be in good general condition. The next day, he returned to the ward, where clinicians again evaluated him and determined that transport to another facility was unnecessary given his stable state.

The family reported that early on the morning of December 7 the child began to deteriorate, and an ambulance was summoned. He was admitted to intensive care on December 8 and diagnosed with acute meningoencephalitis. Tests were conducted, but the family was told that the illness was so common that little could be done to alter the outcome, as brain death had occurred and only assisted breathing was sustaining life. The family suggested there may have been missed signs during the initial emergency assessments, noting that one eye and the mouth appeared deformed when they observed the child later. They shared their perspective publicly to advocate that something like this should never recur.

Sergaz version

From the Servizo Galego de Saúde (Sergas), the diagnosis issued after the infant’s death, by specialists at Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital, was pneumococcal meningitis with a lifeless evolution. The health administration linked the outcome to a highly aggressive bacterium that can trigger sepsis, a critical condition that may have fatal consequences in some cases. This framing underscores the seriousness of pneumococcal disease and its potential to progress rapidly despite medical attention.

Regarding the performance of Pediatric Emergency Service professionals, the Vigo hospital care management defended their actions, stating that staff consistently acted in accordance with established protocols. Sergas maintained that in neither emergency room visit did the baby display signs or data that would have raised suspicion of this disease during examinations. These assurances aim to contextualize the clinical decisions taken during the patient’s brief visits to the emergency department.

The Vigo Health Directorate expressed deep sorrow over the infant’s death and offered condolences to the family. Officials also pledged to be available for any explanation or questions regarding the care provided to the child, reinforcing a commitment to transparency and ongoing dialogue with the family.

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