Research recommends doctors trust a parent's instincts

09 February 2010

MRF welcomes research from Oxford University which shows a parent’s instinct is usually right when they believe their child may be seriously ill.

Researchers  led by GP Dr Ann Van den Bruel recommended that doctors should heed parents’ concerns over their children’s health. Parents know their children best and can distinguish between a ‘normal’ illness like a cold, and more serious conditions like meningitis and septicaemia.

This research builds upon an MRF funded project which in 2006 identified the early warning ‘red flag’ symptoms which can help diagnose meningitis and septicaemia.

Dr Van den Bruel’s team also recommends that doctors check a sick child’s temperature as a matter of course, and check for warning signs including: poor blood circulation to the extremities, rashes of small purple red spots, rapid breathing and temperatures higher than 40c.

MRF Chief Executive Christopher Head commented: “One of the continuing difficulties in spotting meningitis and septicaemia in the early stages is the similarity of symptoms to those of less serious illnesses. Until vaccines are available to protect against all strains of meningitis, awareness and early diagnosis of the symptoms are our best weapon in the fight against these deadly diseases, and we welcome the results of this research which we hope will put greater emphasis on the instincts of parents as a tool to aid medical diagnosis."

Media Contact: Camilla Bond 01454 281811 or 07711 057875

Notes to Editor:

• Meningitis Research Foundation is currently funding 24 research projects into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia. The Foundation has spent £15.6 million on research since its inception in 1989 on 128 research projects.
• Meningitis Research Foundation operates a Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344 - providing information on meningitis and septicaemia to the general public and health professionals.

Symptoms of meningitis:
Fever; vomiting; severe headache; rash (not present in all cases); stiff neck*; dislike of bright lights*; very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake; confused/delirious; seizures (fits) may also be seen. (*Unusual in young children.)

Symptoms of septicaemia (blood poisoning form of the disease):
Fever; vomiting; limb/joint/muscle pain (sometimes stomach pain/diarrhoea); pale or mottled skin; cold hands and feet; shivering; breathing fast/breathless; rash (anywhere on the body); very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake; confused/delirious.
 
Other symptoms in babies include: tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot); refusing to feed; being irritable when picked up with a high pitched or moaning cry; a stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless.