Deceased
Briony Caitlin Klingberg
Demographics
10y, female
Date of death
2015-01-18
Finding date
2017-02-01
Cause of death
Multi-organ failure secondary to overwhelming herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection
AI-generated summary
A 10-year-old girl died from multi-organ failure secondary to overwhelming herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. She presented to the Women's and Children's Hospital on day 3 of pharyngitis with ulceration of the tonsillar fossae. The registrar suggested admission for observation and fluids, but the consultant approved discharge with conservative management. The differential diagnosis did not include HSV, and no specific testing for HSV was performed. The girl was subsequently seen by two other doctors who also did not consider HSV. By Friday (day 5), blood tests showed severe liver dysfunction and dehydration but were not acted upon appropriately. Critical failures included: not including HSV in the differential diagnosis for pharyngitis with unusual ulcer distribution; lack of admission despite objective signs warranting it; failure to escalate based on grossly abnormal blood results; and fragmentation of care across multiple providers. Earlier admission and IV hydration, though ultimately likely too late, might have provided a small chance of survival.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
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