The heartbroken parents whose baby died of 'sepsis' just two days after her first birthday have remembered their 'bubbly' little girl. Maddison Rose Patricia Halliday was taken into hospital on October 20 but sadly never returned home and tragically lost her life the next day. She had only just turned one.
Little Maddison, who parents Josh and Shannon described as being 'bubbly' and 'bouncy' was rushed to North Manchester General after they noticed she was acting out of character. They said she had become 'feverish', wasn't eating properly and was being sick, which caused immediate concern.
Her parents say she had been taken to the doctors numerous times since February this year and had battled a series of viral infections leading up to her death.
Following a post mortem, a provisional cause of death has been noted as 1A Meningococcal serotype B septicaemia. Manchester coroners' office is currently investigating.
The NHS defines meningococcal septicaemia is a serious illness which can progress quickly and kill within a matter of hours. Little Maddison had shown symptoms including feeling drowsy and being unresponsive and floppy, a fever, high temperature and refusing feeds.
In an interview with the Manchester Evening New s, dad Josh, 22, said: "She wasn't herself on the Thursday at all. It just felt like something was really off. You know when your own child isn't themselves at home.
"She wasn't eating, or doing anything normal. And we would shout her and she wouldn't respond, she was dazed and distant."
After initially being treated at North Manchester General, parents Josh and Shannon say she was then rushed to Manchester Children's Hospital and was hooked up to life support. They said she suffered four cardiac arrests and rapidly deteriorated.
Whilst in hospital, she also developed big purple blotches on her skin and began turning blue - another symptom of meningococcal septicaemia. However, the family asked for those pictures not to be shared by the M.E.N .
"The doctors told us that she wouldn't make it through to the morning and that we may have to make the decision to turn off the life support. We were desperate for them to do what they could to keep her alive," Josh added.
"We started ringing family at around 11am on the Friday for them to say their goodbyes to her."
Maddison tragically died in hospital on Friday, October 21 surrounded by her family. Following her death, she was described as a 'bouncy' child who 'loved Blackpool'. Thousands were raised online to fund her send off which will be held at Bury Parish Church on Thursday (November 10).
Paying tribute, parents Josh and Shannon said: "We took her to Blackpool every other month, she absolutely loved it. We would go for a few days at a time.
"She was a bouncy child that followed us everywhere. She was very happy and content right from the beginning.
"She was an absolute joy and loved dancing and singing. She was just amazing and was the happiest child we'd ever met.
"She was really cheeky too, and would always give the dogs her food when you weren't looking. We have got so many supportive friends and family around us."
A spokesperson for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said: “We wish to again offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Maddison’s family. We recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for the family and we will continue to support them.”
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Salford lad who directed film slammed for 'vile stereotypes' defends movie as it appears in Netflix's most-watched list
- Bomb squad scrambled following 17-year-old's terrifying hoax - police feared they'd be killed
- The historic church being shaken to its foundations by motorway traffic
- Where to find the cheapest petrol prices in Greater Manchester
- Frustrated councillors claim Greater Manchester is a 'criminal free-for-all' despite improved GMP report
