A mother in B.C. is telling her story after her neurodiverse child's dangerous infection was missed during several visits to two hospitals.
When Margo Levae's son, Wyatt, was seven-and-a-half years old, she noticed that he was starting to wake up at night, even though he used to be a good sleeper.
Wyatt, who has autism and complex developmental delays, communicates differently than most children.
Levae said, "He screams when he's happy, sad, or in pain," highlighting that his various screams indicate different emotions. Although he can speak, he often uses non-verbal communication too.
According to Levae, all of Wyatt's screams sound different, and he uses both words and non-verbal communication.
But in December 2022, Wyatt was distressed in a way that his mom had never seen before.
It took four visits and two x-rays over a month at two hospitals to discover that Wyatt had a severe lung infection.
Levae described it as the most terrifying experience she has ever had.
The family originally went to the emergency room at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster on Dec. 18, 2022, but were sent home and told to monitor him.
Two days later, Wyatt had shown no signs of improvement.
Levae described how urgently Wyatt needed help, stating that he was in distress in a way she had never seen before, even when he had common illnesses like colds, flu, or COVID.“
This time, they went to B.C. Children’s Hospital.
Levae was worried that Wyatt had swallowed something foreign because he was pointing to his right side and crying, saying, “Ow.”
She thought the issue was related to his abdomen and digestive system.
She mentioned that they never expected it to be his right lung, and neither did the doctors.
Doctors ordered an x-ray of Wyatt's abdomen, but the bottom of his lungs was also visible, and at that time, signs of an infection were not noticed.
They were sent home and told that Wyatt seemed to be suffering from constipation.
On Jan. 6, 2023, the family returned to B.C. Children’s Hospital as Wyatt had developed a fever.
However, the doctors attributed his low fever to the start of a cold rather than connecting it to any previous health issues, and sent them home.
Levae expressed her respect for the medical practitioners but also indicated that she knew this was not a typical beginning for a cold.
She commented on the incredible education of the doctors but also noted that no other cold had started in this way.
When they returned home, Wyatt's condition worsened. He became less active, refused to go to the pool, which he usually loves, and started having nosebleeds, which was unusual for him.
Levae said, "What made us bring him in was that he coughed up what appeared to be a blood clot."
On Jan. 17, the family returned to B.C. Children’s Hospital.
Wyatt had another x-ray, but it wasn't until they saw a respirologist that they discovered he had a severe lung infection.
Leave said she actually felt comfort in that moment and questioned if she was not crazy.
The infection had expanded to the point where it had drilled a hole through Wyatt’s lung, causing an edema that leaked the infection into his body.
Leave mentioned that although Wyatt may be feeling a lot of pain, he doesn’t show it in the same way as another child.
The absence of assessment for a child with his condition is a significant mistake.
Wyatt can tolerate high levels of pain and may not display the same symptoms as another child.
Leave reflected on the situation, thinking about what more she could have done.
In situations where something was overlooked or errors were made, patients and their families are often directed to the Province’s Patient Care Quality Officer for a thorough review.
Leave stated that she did so, but the response indicated that there was no mention of a lung infection being missed in the initial x-ray.
She added that it’s almost as if they ignore you enough times, eventually you'll become exhausted and give up.
In a statement to Global News, B.C. Children’s Hospital confirmed that a review of this matter was conducted last year and determined that their clinicians followed appropriate clinical processes to reach the correct diagnosis.
The hospital mentioned that the family was informed of the review results.
However, the Province’s Patient Care Quality Officer report stated that it seems a standard pain assessment was not carried out or documented using a clinically validated pain assessment tool, and for that, they apologized.
Leave has lodged complaints with the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Human Rights Tribunal.
She said,“It’s incredibly hard.”
“I think it’s the injustice of it. That affects me the most. It's knowing that clearly, his disability played a role and amplified the situation. That's the part that's the toughest for me because I see the vulnerability.”
