Four-Year-Old Girl Dies After Misdiagnosis of Gastro
Tragedy struck as four-year-old Norah Terei-Bristowe passed away just days after doctors misdiagnosed her with gastroenteritis. Norah, who was described as “pure sunshine and laughter” by friends, fell ill last month with symptoms including fever, vomiting, and a headache. Concerned, her parents called a doctor to their home who believed she had gastroenteritis. However, her condition worsened over the weekend and by Monday morning, she was unresponsive.
Frantic with worry, Norah’s parents rushed her to Gold Coast University Hospital where she was diagnosed with a rare case of bacterial pneumococcal meningitis. This devastating news came too late for Norah, as she tragically succumbed to the illness just two days later.
In light of this heart-wrenching event, mothers who have lost their children to meningitis are urging university students to get vaccinated against this deadly infection. They believe that preventing the disease through vaccination can save lives and spare families the pain they have endured.
Norah’s parents expressed their gratitude towards Dr. Sebastian Rimpau and the nurses in the Intensive Care Unit for their care of Norah during her final days. They held a traditional Maori funeral for Norah, attended by approximately 300 people at Allambie Gardens.
The grieving parents issued a statement, saying, “We said goodbye to our princess on August 30, 2023… She was surrounded by all of her family and will forever be in our hearts, and we will always hold onto our memories with her and all of the laughter and joy she brought into our lives.”
They also emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention promptly if parents have any doubts about their child’s condition. Norah’s illness spread quickly to her brain, rendering treatment ineffective. Unfortunately, the strain of meningitis that claimed Norah’s life does not have a vaccine or any preventive treatment available.
A family friend, Wade Paniora, initiated a fundraising appeal to help alleviate some of the financial burden on Norah’s parents. The GoFundMe campaign surpassed $20,000, already nearing its $30,000 target as of Wednesday night.
Norah’s infectious personality left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her, including Gold Coast radio host Emily Jade O’Keeffe, whose children were friends with Norah. O’Keeffe said, “Our hearts are all broken for them, and all our lives will never be the same. She was just sunshine and laughter. It’s just so sad.”
Pneumococcal meningitis, the illness that took Norah’s life, is a life-threatening infectious disease that causes inflammation of the layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These layers, known as meninges, help protect the brain from injury and infection. The disease primarily affects babies and young children under 18 months of age, as well as the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems. Approximately 15% of cases result in death.
Norah’s untimely passing serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of early and accurate diagnoses, as well as the need for further research and awareness surrounding rare and deadly infections like pneumococcal meningitis.