A coroner has raised concerns that inadequate national guidance on diagnosing a rare brain disorder leads to preventable fatalities, following the tragic death of a 12-year-old girl.
In a troubling inquest, coroner findings revealed a significant gap in national medical guidance regarding the diagnosis of rare neurological disorders. The case centered on Mia Lucas, a 12-year-old who tragically took her own life after suffering from an undiagnosed condition known as autoimmune encephalitis. Despite being treatable, her condition manifested severe psychiatric symptoms that were misunderstood and left unaddressed by medical professionals in a children's psychiatric unit.
Mia was found unresponsive in January 2024, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. The jury's verdict highlighted the critical failure to conduct a lumbar puncture at Queen's Medical Centre, which might have led to an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention. This incident raises serious questions about the current protocols in place within NHS facilities and their ability to effectively manage such complex medical cases, especially in vulnerable children.
The coroner emphasized that without clearer guidance and protocols for diagnosing rare disorders like autoimmune encephalitis, future deaths could occur, calling for immediate action to prevent similar tragedies. This situation underscores the importance of ongoing training for medical staff, improved diagnostic procedures, and heightened awareness of rare neurological conditions, especially in psychiatric settings where symptoms may be misattributed.
