How My Baby's Near-Death Experience with Sepsis Taught Me the Warning Signs Every Parent Should Know

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Sep 20, 07:38 am

Photo: (Photo : Marcelo Leal on Unsplash)

A British couple, Rachel and Tim Millbank, are sharing their heart-wrenching experience in hopes of educating others about the dangers of sepsis. Their 10-week-old son, Elliot, almost lost his life to this life-threatening condition during a vacation at the English seaside in March 2019.

Describing the harrowing moment they discovered Elliot appearing "gray" and unresponsive, Rachel Millbank stated, "It's a terrifying vision I will never forget, one that's permanently etched in our memories."

Before embarking on their seemingly benign family trip, the Millbanks observed mild symptoms of a cold in Elliot, such as a cough and a stuffed nose. After consulting their physician, who assured them the newborn was fine, they thought little of it and proceeded with their vacation plans.

However, once they arrived at the seaside, Elliot's condition deteriorated swiftly, showcasing more alarming symptoms like labored breathing and his body curling into a fetal position. This rapid decline prompted the concerned parents to rush him to the nearest hospital.

A Diagnosis That Changed Their Lives

When Elliot arrived at the hospital, he underwent a number of tests before receiving the final diagnosis of severe pneumonia with sepsis. Worse yet, his condition escalated into a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection-a particularly antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria.

Sepsis is a potentially fatal complication that occurs when the immune system has a hyper-reactive and dangerous response to an infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death.

According to The Cleveland Clinic, common symptoms of sepsis include, but are not limited to, shortness of breath, fatigue, a low heart rate, shaking and chills, confusion, and fever. Children under the age of one are particularly vulnerable, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), making it crucial for parents and caregivers to be vigilant about these signs.

Elliot's condition necessitated a 13-day stay in one hospital before he was transferred to another institution, owing to the severity of his case. In the second hospital, medical professionals decided to place him in a medically induced coma to stabilize his condition.

"It's changed our lives forever," said Rachel, sharing the profound impact of this life-altering ordeal. Eventually, after seemingly endless days of anxious waiting, Elliot showed promising signs of recovery. "After a few days, he started to show signs of improvement, such as the necrotizing pneumonia mass shrinking on his chest," Rachel added.

Taking Action: The Millbanks' Advocacy

Now four years old, Elliot has not only survived but thrived, thanks in part to the medical interventions he received and his parents' steadfast commitment to his recovery. His father, Tim, is committed to running 100 miles this September to raise money for the Sick Children's Trust, the team that played a crucial role in saving his son's life.

Beyond their personal journey, the Millbanks are dedicated to raising awareness about the potentially deadly risks of sepsis and its warning signs. They emphasize the importance of knowing these signs, as life's fragility can manifest when least expected.

The Sepsis Alliance reveals a sobering statistic: of the over 75,000 children who develop sepsis annually in the U.S., nearly 7,000 will not survive.

Furthermore, 34% of child survivors still experience a change in cognitive skills a month after being discharged from the hospital. Given these staggering numbers, the Millbanks' story serves as a cautionary tale and a call-to-action, urging parents to be more vigilant and educated about this life-threatening condition.