The parents of a Co Down toddler who died days after he was sent home from A&E say they will do all in their power to "find answers" surrounding their son's death.
Jaiden Milligan, 3, died on Sunday July 17 2022, after his presenting symptoms were put down to a probable sinus infection. The Downpatrick child had been unwell on the Thursday, and his mum and dad Caylan and Charlotte, took him to the Ulster Hospital.
They returned home again, without any antibiotic or medicine. Little Jaiden died, holding his parents' hands three days later, with preliminary results showing he had multiple problems with his heart.
Read more: Downpatrick primary school opening at night for community to access 'warm place'
"On day one he was sick, he didn't have a temperature but he wasn't eating and was very chesty. The doctor looked at him for five minutes, looked at the back of his throat and in his ears and said it was probably just a nasal infection.
"They didn't sent us away with anything, no antibiotics, not even as so much as Calpol. We got home and put him to bed but he didn't sleep at all that night and we phoned the out of hours doctor. They said it sounded like he needed steamed so we brought him to the Ulster Hospital.
"Without hesitation we were seen by triage and they took his observations and checked him for a temperature, which he didn't have. He was taken straight to paediatrics and there were doctors all around him doing bloods, scans, everything.
"Jaiden sat there and took it all like a champion. Nothing bothered that child one bit. A chest X-RAY which showed fluid in the lungs and around his heart.
"They said there was something wrong, either an infection or his heart, and it came back that is was his heart so we were sent straight to the Royal by ambulance.
"He was in the PICU and the team there were really good with him, talking away to him and making him feel comfortable. The doctors took us into a side room and told us that Jaiden's heart was in serious trouble.
"They wanted to do a procedure where they put two rods into the centre of his hips, one in the arterial line and the other was for fluids. The medication wasn't working so they kept him in overnight on the Saturday."
Caylan and Charlotte went home to Downpatrick to get clean clothes for Jaiden. They were only home five hours when they were called back to their son, who was very unsettled.
The brave toddler was placed under an induced coma, after a cardiologist spoke to his family and explained Jaiden's heart was under immense pressure.
Caylan added: "They said that for Jaiden to be put into an induced coma was his best option. We agreed for that to happen.
"We were told that the machine that was needed for Jaiden was in Dublin, they didn't have it in Belfast. We were just waiting on the team from Dublin coming to get him. At around 2:30pm, we were at the front door and two nurses came and told us to come up straight away, that they were doing CPR on him.
"I dropped everything and ran. Charlotte collapsed at the bottom of the stairs. We went in and all we could see was him lying there, with the staff doing all the could to bring him back. There was nothing they could have done. They did everything possible.
"They let us in to say our goodbyes and at 3:10 he passed away with us holding his hand."
Belfast Live saw a copy of Jaiden's 'Evidence of Death Certificate' which shows that the Pathologist’s preliminary findings following the Post Mortem examination are "Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Global necrosis of Myocardium, congestive cardiac failure and pulmonary oedema".
His family say they believe their son may have had a better chance of a fight, if he had of been given more tests in hospital when he first presented as unwell.
And speaking with pride at their community, they hailed the people of the Flying Horse and Model Farm estates, for the kindness that they have shown to Jaiden's family, in the days and weeks after his death.
"We have agreed that once the coroner is done with Jaiden's heart, we would like it to be donated for research to help other babies in similar situations.
"We feel that whatever has happened, we want the best possible outcome from Jaiden's death."
In a statement from the South Eastern Trust, a spokesperson said: "The loss of a child at any time is heart-breaking and we acknowledge the pain and heartache Jaiden’s parents, Caylan and Charlotte are currently experiencing. We would like to express our deepest condolences at this sad time.
"The Trust is aware of Jaiden’s case and will be investigating it fully. We will be in contact with Jaiden’s parents as soon as the outcome of the investigation is complete.
"However, in the meantime, we would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss any concerns the family may have surrounding Jaiden’s care and treatment. It would not be appropriate for the Trust to comment on the specifics of the investigation."
Video by Belfast Live videographer Harry Bateman.
READ NEXT:
'He was a character': Family hosting 'event he would've loved' in dad's memory
Co Tyrone boy, 11, thanks Air Ambulance after swift response to school accident
Co Derry farmer overcome by fumes credits Air Ambulance for 'saving my life'
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
