Coroner rules there were ‘failures’ in case of Stowmarket 10-year-old who died from chickenpox complications

A coroner has highlighted a number of “failures” in the case of a 10-year-old who died of complications from chickenpox.

Nuel-Junior Dzernjo, from Stowmarket, died at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds on February 22 this year.

At the time, he had chickenpox – and an inquest at Suffolk Coroner’s Court in Ipswich has heard that he was already immunocompromised as a result of the steroids used to treat a suspected case of epilepsy.

Nuel’s parents had taken him to Ipswich Hospital on February 21, but he was discharged by doctors the same day.

Dr Kirsten Philip, who saw Nuel at the time, apologised to his family at inquest – but emphasised that she had treated the 10-year-old to the best of her abilities.

Concluding the inquest today, assistant coroner Catherine Wood described the decision to send Nuel home as “inappropriate.”

She stated that doctors should have recognised a number of abnormal symptoms, including Nuel’s limited breathing and mobility.

A paediatrician, Dr Matthew James, gave expert evidence in court.

He said that Nuel’s symptoms, coupled with his chickenpox and immunosuppression, would have led him to recommend intravenous treatment with aciclovir, an antiviral drug.

This course of action was not taken by hospital staff, who, Mrs Wood said, failed to grasp the seriousness of Nuel’s condition.

She told the court: “They [Ipswich Hospital staff] didn't recognise at all that he was so far below his normal mobility levels, which, in combination with his abnormal vital signs, should have led to him being admitted."

However, the coroner stressed that professional judgement was only one factor leading to the tragedy.

Echoing testimony from hospital staff, she said that the official guidance available to doctors treating cases like Nuel’s is inadequate.

Of the decision not to keep Nuel at hospital, Mrs Wood said: “In part, I accept that this was due to a lack of clinical guidance on treating his disease in combination with his immunosuppression.”

Mrs Wood recorded a verdict of death by chickenpox, in combination with immunosuppression resulting from the drugs prescribed to treat Nuel’s suspected epilepsy.

She told the court she will be writing to the relevant health authorities, urging them to update their guidelines in order to prevent future tragedies.

She said: “I do consider that there is a loophole here in relation to future deaths, and I will be writing, as discussed, to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, urging them to consider writing further guidance on conditions like Nuel’s.”

Nuel’s parents, Emmanuel and Solange Dzernjo, have been present throughout the two-day inquest.

Rounding off her remarks today, Mrs Wood told them: “I truly hope the inquest has helped, in part, answer some of your questions, and that you can try to take some steps to rebuild your lives going forward.

“I'm sure your lives will never be the same again, but at least you can put the inquest behind you and try to move forward with your family.”