Finding into death of Kathryne Frances Callaghan

51y · Female·Aspiration pneumonia in a woman with cerebral palsy and epilepsy

Kathryne Callaghan, a 51-year-old woman with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and intellectual disability, died from aspiration pneumonia following COVID-19 infection. She was initially hospitalised in November 2022 with COVID-19 and pneumonia, stabilised, and was discharged in December. She was readmitted on 24 December with aspiration pneumonia and oropharyngeal dysphagia diagnosed on 26 December. Despite intravenous antibiotics, she had minimal oral intake due to low consciousness and swallowing difficulty. Chest imaging on 4 January showed right lung collapse with foreign material aspiration and left lower lobe consolidation. She was transitioned to comfort care on 17 January and died at Wantirna Health on 23 January. The clinical lesson centres on aspiration risk in patients with dysphagia and reduced consciousness, particularly post-infection, and the importance of nutritional and fluid management strategies in such vulnerable populations.