Inquest into the death of Alena Rankine

2y · Female·Chronic organic brain damage as a consequence of Murray Valley encephalitis

A 2-year-old Aboriginal girl with severe brain damage from Murray Valley encephalitis died in hospital from chronic organic brain damage. She had been in state care since August 2004 due to her profound medical needs including poorly controlled epilepsy, spastic quadriparesis, bulbar palsy, and sensory deficits. She presented to hospital with vomiting, diarrhoea, increased seizures, and signs of shock (tachycardia, tachypnoea, fever, peripheral shutdown). Despite emergency care, she died 3 hours after arrival. The autopsy confirmed chronic cerebellar scarring from the encephalitis and found appropriate therapeutic drug levels. The coroner found no deficiency in her medical or personal care, and no evidence of foul play. This case highlights the challenges of managing severely disabled children with complex needs in the community and the importance of appropriate escalation when acute deterioration occurs.