Youngster dies after 'two years of misdiagnosis'

Kaden with sister Taylor

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THE family of a five-year-old boy who suffered from crippling arthritis say he died after a two-year battle to get him diagnosed.

Kaden Hadfield went to hospital 'more than 20 times' but his parents say medics failed to diagnose his arthritis and instead sent him home with Calpol and Ibuprofen.

Poor Kaden continued to attend school while in agony, some days struggling to walk, others to lift his arms.

It was only when he was finally referred to Alder Hey two years after his symptoms began that he was diagnosed and prescribed steroids.

By that time the disease had ravaged his body and although treatment seemed to work at first, he sadly died.

Mum Caitlin Tattersall (25), from Bolton, and dad Lee Hadfield (29) of Oldham, are now awaiting an inquest this month, when they finally hope to discover the truth surrounding his death.

Meanwhile, the Trust which runs Blackpool Hospital where he was originally treated has confirmed launching a case review into his treatment.

Caitlin, who lived in Blackpool at the time after she and Lee separated, said: "It was heartbreaking, the last time I saw Kaden he was in intensive care, they had his chest open, I could see his heart and lungs.

"They tried to save him for 13 hours. But I don't understand. I feel like if Kaden had just had the medication he needed earlier he would be here today."

The family's ordeal began two years ago, when Kaden woke up one day with pain in one of his ankles, which a GP diagnosed as a sprain.

But the pain grew worse, and 18 months ago later when it moved to his other ankle, Caitlin took him to Blackpool Victoria Hospital's A&E.

Blood tests showed him to have a vitamin D deficiency and anaemia.

In hospital for a week, he was discharged with a bottle of Calpol and Ibuprofen as well as vitamin D and iron tablets.

But the pain spread to Kaden's knees then all his joints.

Referred to Rheumatology at Blackpool, Caitlin claims they gave him more Calpol despite an ultrasound showing tissue damage. At Blackpool Hospital, blood tests showed again showed that he was anaemic, despite the iron tablets.

Finally, after months of delays, Kaden got an appointment at Alder Hey Hospital, where doctors were so shocked they suspected leukaemia.

They diagnosed systemic onset juvenile arthritis and started a course of steroids - which immediately began to ease his pain.

But the arthritis was already attacking Kaden's joints and organs and he was placed on a high dependency unit.

After six weeks in hospital, he finally turned a corner and his family celebrated with the nurses as he took his first steps in months.

But the next day, Kaden complained of a 'stabbing pain' in his stomach and he was taken to intensive care where his heart stopped.

Kaden died the following day and medics told the family it was caused by sepsis as a result of his arthritis.

Caitlin, who is training to be a social worker, added: "I want to know exactly what happened.

"I want everyone to know. How can a healthy boy go from having a sore ankle two years ago to being gone?

A spokesman for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "Our thoughts are with Kaden's family at this sad time. Upon hearing of his death the trust initiated a case review which is ongoing and is standard procedure in all children's deaths."

A spokeswoman for Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust said: "Our thoughts remain with the family at this extremely difficult time."