Deceased
Kristen Kerkvliet
Demographics
1y, female
Coroner
Baldwin
Date of death
2006-02-04
Finding date
2009-10-08
Cause of death
acute myocardial infarction secondary to Kawasaki's Disease
AI-generated summary
Kristen Kerkvliet, aged 14 months, died from acute myocardial infarction secondary to Kawasaki's Disease. She presented to Gympie Hospital severely underweight and malnourished on 3 February 2006, having failed to thrive from approximately 6 months of age. Initial clinical assessment by multiple doctors found no obvious cardiac abnormality on examination. Chest x-rays were reviewed by the treating doctor (non-radiologist) who noted pneumonia and possible cardiac enlargement but did not fully appreciate the extent. Transfer to Nambour was arranged; she arrested during loading into the ambulance. The coroner found her death was not preventable given presentation at advanced disease stage, but noted that earlier detection of failure to thrive during routine medical checkups might have allowed earlier investigation and possible treatment of Kawasaki's Disease. Key clinical lesson: unexplained failure to thrive and severe malnutrition warrant urgent investigation for serious underlying pathology, particularly vasculitic diseases affecting organ perfusion.
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Specialties
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