Finding into death of Hannah Paige Pain Fowler

11y · Female·Sepsis due to acute peritonitis secondary to perforated gangrenous acute appendicitis

Hannah Fowler, aged 11, died from sepsis secondary to perforated gangrenous acute appendicitis. She presented with progressive abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia and malaise over four days before sudden deterioration and death. Her father and his partner attributed symptoms to gastroenteritis (which a household member had recently experienced) and did not seek medical attention despite considering appendicitis as a possibility. The coroner found the failure to obtain prompt medical assessment for a sick child with persisting symptoms was the key preventable factor. Clinical lessons include: non-specific appendicitis presentations in children can mimic gastroenteritis; caregiver minimisation of symptoms and attribution bias are dangerous; medical decisions should never rest with children; and early medical evaluation was readily available and accessible.