Two-year-old boy diagnosed with gastroenteritis in emergency room dies at home the next day (Page 2 ) | March 29, 2025

A misdiagnosis with fatal consequences

In winter, viral infections such as gastroenteritis are common, especially among children. Vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain are common symptoms, but they can also mask more serious pathologies.

That day, the little boy’s parents went to the emergency room in Armentières, worried about his condition. He was vomiting non-stop and complained of intense pain in his stomach. After a quick examination, the pediatrician on duty diagnosed a simple gastroenteritis, without suspecting any complications. He prescribed light care and let the child go home.

But a few hours later, the situation turned tragic.  The child died at home, the victim of intestinal necrosis that could have been avoided with a more thorough diagnosis.

A rare pathology ignored by the doctor

The investigation revealed that the child suffered from a digestive malformation known since birth. This detail, although essential, was not taken into account when he was taken to the emergency room.

The autopsy confirmed that  the child died of hemorrhagic shock due to  intestinal necrosis , a serious complication requiring immediate treatment.

This case highlights a recurring problem in some emergency departments: the lack of consideration of medical history and the tendency to make a rapid diagnosis without in-depth examinations.

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