A vibrant four-year-old boy, previously in good health, tragically passed away just three days after developing a cough that led to sepsis, an inquest revealed. Samar Raj Singh, from Leicester, was one of 16 children who died during a nationwide Strep A outbreak.
Samar, a former student at Wakerley Primary School, was described as a joyful and lively child by his parents, Parminder Singh and Gurmanjot Kaur. His health deteriorated rapidly in December 2022, prompting multiple hospital visits before his untimely death.
Initially kept away from school due to a cough, Samar’s condition worsened over the weekend with a high fever, stomach pain, and vomiting. Despite a visit to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a respiratory infection, he was sent home for observation. Concerns about scarlet fever and Strep A were raised but no conclusive signs were found due to the hospital’s high workload.
As Samar’s condition deteriorated further on Monday, his mother sought urgent medical attention, leading to a delayed ambulance response. Upon reaching the hospital, Samar was quickly assessed but tragically collapsed, leading to unsuccessful resuscitation attempts by a team of medical professionals.
Despite receiving incorrect drug dosages during resuscitation, experts found no malpractice in Samar’s treatment. The inquest concluded that Samar’s death was due to sepsis caused by invasive group A streptococcal infection, a rare but serious condition.
In children, symptoms of sepsis can include changes in skin color, breathing difficulties, and increased drowsiness. Strep A infections, more common in children, can typically be treated with antibiotics, but in severe cases can lead to fatal outcomes. In 2022, 16 children in the UK lost their lives to invasive Strep A infections.