Last September Sabrina Dawe took her son Dylan, then aged 13 months, to the doctors after he seemed unwell following an MMR jab.
He had nappy rash, a high temperature, seemed thirsty all the time and went off his food.
Evercreech GP Geoff Sharpe examined him thoroughly, thought he might have an ear infection and prescribed antibiotics.
But just as Sabrina and Dylan were leaving he called them back, did a finger prick blood test to detect Dylan’s glucose levels and realised Dylan was suffering from diabetes and had to go to hospital at once. There was no time to call an ambulance and a fraught Sabrina raced him to hospital in her car.
Dylan was admitted with severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and was seriously ill, but the hospital was able to bring his condition under control.
“Thank heavens the GP had recognised what was happening and acted so quickly, otherwise he would have died,” said Mrs Dawe.
Dylan, now 18 months old and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, will be insulin-dependent for the rest of his life – but he is doing well.
Source: thisissomerset.co.uk, 24 February 2009
