An eight-year-old girl tragically died of sepsis after being sent home twice by a GP who instructed her mum to give her fluids and ibuprofen. Mia Glynn’s parents took her to a GP surgery twice within four hours, despite displaying symptoms of Group Strep A infection, but were advised each time to take her home. On the second visit, Mia was sent away with antibiotics, as the doctor mentioned that the hospital was full and waiting times would be long. Mia’s parents, Soron, 39, and Katie, 37, sought medical help for Mia’s vomiting, severe headache, and sore throat.
Following the second GP appointment, Mia had not eaten properly for three more days, with an elevated heart rate, decreased urine output, and drowsiness. Concerned about a Group A Strep infection, her parents questioned the GP during the visits. Despite their worries, the doctor advised Katie to give Mia fluids and ibuprofen and wait until bedtime to start antibiotics. That night, Mia, experiencing continued discomfort, slept in her parents’ bed. In the early hours, she became restless, disoriented, developed rashes on her arms and legs, and had blue lips. Soron and Katie then called an ambulance, leading Mia to be rushed to the hospital, where she went into septic shock and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Despite efforts to resuscitate her, Mia passed away around 20 minutes after arriving at the hospital, with her cause of death determined as sepsis triggered by Group A Strep infection. Following Mia’s tragic death, Soron and Katie have sought legal advice to understand the circumstances surrounding her care. Mia’s death has left her family devastated and heartbroken, with her parents remembering her as a happy, loving, and caring girl who brought joy to everyone she met.
In memory of Mia, Soron and Katie, along with supporters, raised over £40,000 through various fundraising events, with donations going to the UK Sepsis Trust. They also established the charitable organisation aiM, named after Mia, and organised a successful family and music festival in her honour. Mia’s family remains committed to ensuring her memory lives on and advocating for greater awareness of sepsis symptoms and early intervention.
Reflecting on their loss, Soron and Katie expressed the pain of losing Mia and highlighted the importance of recognising the signs of sepsis promptly. They recalled Mia’s initial GP visits on December 5, 2022, where she was diagnosed with viral symptoms and advised to rest and take paracetamol. Subsequent visits yielded similar advice, leading to Mia’s parents calling an ambulance early the next morning, but tragically, Mia passed away that day.
Victoria Zinzan, a specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing the family, emphasised the critical role of early sepsis detection for effective treatment. She underscored the importance of educating the public and healthcare professionals on recognising sepsis symptoms promptly to prevent such heartbreaking outcomes. The Glynn family continues to mourn Mia’s loss while striving to raise awareness and honour her memory through their charitable efforts.