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Kaden Hadfield was just five years old when he died from arthritis (Picture: MEN)

A five-year-old boy who suffered arthritis so bad he could barely walk at times died after doctors failed to diagnose him, his family has said.

Kaden Hadfield attended hospital more than 20 times over a two-year course, but nobody diagnosedhis arthritis and sent him home with Calpol and Ibuprofen.

Despite the pain and struggling to walk at times, Kaden continued to go to school.

It was only when he was finally referred to Alder Hey two years after his symptoms began that he was diagnosed and prescribed steroids.

But by that time the disease had ravaged his body and although treatment seemed to work at first, he sadly died.

Mum Caitlin Tattersall, 25, from Bolton, and dad Lee Hadfield, 29, of Oldham, are now awaiting an inquest this month, when they hope to discover the truth surrounding his death.

Meanwhile, the Trust which runs Blackpool Hospital where he was originally treated has confirmed launching a case review into his treatment.

Caitlin, who lived in Blackpool at the time after she and Lee separated, said: It was heartbreaking, the last time I saw Kaden he was in intensive care, they had his chest open, I could see his heart and lungs.

They tried to save him for 13 hours. But I dont understand. I feel like if Kaden had just had the medication he needed earlier he would be here today.

He had been so unwell for so long he never even complained from the pain, but he needed help. I was taking him to school he was sitting through it and not complaining.

It took two years to get Kaden an appointment at Alder Hey, they diagnosed him straight away but it was too late.

The familys ordeal began two years ago, when Kaden woke up one day with pain in one of his ankles, which a GP diagnosed as a sprain.

But the pain grew worse, and 18 months ago later when it moved to his other ankle, Caitlin took him to Blackpool Victoria Hospitals A&E.

Blood tests showed him to have a vitamin D deficiency and anaemia.

In hospital for a week, he was discharged with a bottle of Calpol and Ibuprofen as well as vitamin D and iron tablets.

The pain spread to Kadens knees then all his joints.

Referred to Rheumatology at Blackpool, Caitlin claims they gave him more Calpol despite an ultrasound showing tissue damage.

Caitlin added: It was worse in the morning, he couldnt walk, he couldnt even scratch his own nose his hands were so swollen and stiff.

We got referred to a physio the therapist said I was doing too much for Kaden and thats why he wasnt able to do things himself. I felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall.

At Blackpool Hospital, blood tests showed again showed that he was anaemic, despite the iron tablets.

Finally, after months of delays, Kaden got an appointment at Alder Hey Hospital, where doctors were so shocked they suspected leukaemia.

They diagnosed systemic onset juvenile arthritis and started a course of steroids which immediately began to ease his pain.

But the arthritis was already attacking Kadens joints and organs and he was placed on a high dependency unit.

After six weeks in hospital, he finally turned a corner and his family celebrated with the nurses as he took his first steps in months.

But the next day, Kaden complained of a stabbing pain in his stomach and he was taken to intensive care where his heart stopped.

Caitlin added: They had all these wires on him, they had to open his chest, I could see his heart and his lungs. They were trying to stop him bleeding but it was just pouring from him.

I knew he was going and there was nothing they could do. I was just screaming at them to try.

Kaden died the following day and doctorstold the family it was caused by sepsis as a result of his arthritis.

Caitlin, who is training to be a social worker, added: I want to know exactly what happened.

I want everyone to know. How can a healthy boy go from having a sore ankle two years ago to being gone?

Im training to be a social worker, I know what the standards should be.

Why did it take so long to get a diagnosis?

Describing Kaden as loving, kind and caring, she added: If he was in pain he would just entertain himself, play on his computer. When his friends came round Sometimes he was too weak to play with them. I had to take him to school in a pram in the end, he didnt like it, he said everyone would think he was a baby.

He was in agony every day and he never moaned. Everyone who ever met him loved him.

A spokesman for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: Our thoughts are with Kadens family at this sad time. Upon hearing of his death the trust initiated a case review which is ongoing and is standard procedure in all childrens deaths.

A spokeswoman for Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust said: Our thoughts remain with the family at this extremely difficult time.

Read more here:
Kaden Hadfield, 5, died from arthritis after doctors failed to diagnose ... - Metro

This entry was posted on February 7, 2017 at 2:51 am and is filed under Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |