My baby is fighting for her life after a ‘viral infection’ triggered cardiac arrest – I’m warning other parents
The red flag symptoms that tipped off mum Keira that something was wrong with her little girl - and when to take your child to A&E
A MUM whose baby daughter almost died of a cardiac arrest is issuing a stark warning to other parents.
What started as a viral infection turned into a nightmare that left little Beatrix, one, fighting for her life – and she remains in hospital to this day.
Beatrix’s mum, Keira Willis, 35, claims the GP told her not to worry as her one-year-old’s symptoms worsened over a few days.
But she eventually took her to A&E and demanded to be seen, having a gut feeling something was not right.
Her instinct saved her tot’s life, as an inflammatory heart condition was detected and only a few hours after being admitted to hospital, Beatrix suffered a cardiac arrest.
Beatrix remains in Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where she can only survive through intense medication and sedation while doctors run tests.
Keira, a stay-at-home mum from Buckinghamshire, said: “I’m glad I was a bit bossy and I put my foot down and demanded to be seen because if I put her to bed that night like I had been doing, just thinking that it was just a virus, she could have died.
“I felt like if I had been listened to from the get go, we might not be in this critical stage where she now needs medication to survive.
“I think you just need to push and go with your gut.
“I don’t blame anyone for what has happened, and I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault, it’s just such a sad situation to be in.”
In June 2024, Keira’s children – Logan, 13, Lila, 10, Esme, 10, Tabitha, four, and Beatrix – all seemingly had a stomach bug.
After a few days all her children got better except Beatrix, whose symptoms of vomiting, high fever and lack of appetite worsened.
Keira took her to her GP where she was told it was “nothing to worry about” and just a viral infection.
But, over time, Beatrix’s condition got even more severe – she continued not eating, would not stop crying and was tugging at her ears.
With no improvement, Keira took Beatrix back to the GP on July 1, noticing swelling in her hands and face and reduced urination, but was told it was another viral infection.
At this point, Keira felt like she “wasn’t being listened to” and felt like she was being made out to be an “overreacting mother”.
On July 6, Keira took Beatrix to A&E and insisted that she be seen.
She said: “I just had a feeling something was seriously wrong and it was just absolutely terrifying seeing her like that.”
This time Beatrix was examined straight away and treated for sepsis as a precaution – Keira later found out she thankfully didn’t have it.
It’s terrifying to think that you can lose your little baby in a split second. I wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy
Keira
Sadly, an X-Ray revealed Beatrix has myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle which can reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood.
Keira said: “It was absolutely terrifying and there were a lot of tears, a lot of emotions because you’ve gone from having your little baby with you 24/7 to hearing that.
“I just felt so lost.
INFLAMMED HEART
“Her heart was at the end stages of failing.”
Beatrix was transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford the following day where she was intubated within a few hours of being admitted.
But the same day, Beatrix went into cardiac arrest and she had to be resuscitated for six minutes until she came around.
Keria said: “They managed to stabilise her after three hours and we went to see her – it was so scary, I’m so glad my husband and I had each other to fall back on.
When to take your child to A&E
When your child becomes unwell, it can be scary, especially when they are very young and cannot tell you what they are feeling.
Here are red flag signs to watch out for which mean you should call 999 or go to A&E:
- Seizure (fit): shaking or jerking because of a fit, or unconscious (cannot be woken up)
- Choking on liquids or solids now
- Difficulty breathing making grunting noises or sucking their stomach in under their ribcage
- Unable to stay awake: cannot keep their eyes open for more than a few seconds
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, tongue or lips: on brown or black skin, grey or blue palms or soles of the feet
- Limp and floppy: their head falls to the side, backwards or forwards
- Heavy bleeding: spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle
- Severe injuries: after a serious accident or assault
- Signs of a stroke: face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking
- Sudden rapid swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue
- Sudden confusion: agitation, odd behaviour or non-stop crying
Source: NHS
“It’s terrifying to think that you can lose your little baby in a split second.
“I wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy – it’s the worst thing that you possibly go through as a parent.”
On July 19, she was moved to Birmingham Children’s Hospital in case further help is needed, such as putting her on an ECMO (Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) machine to help oxygenate her blood while her heart and lungs are struggling.
Since Beatrix has been in Birmingham, Keira and her husband Luke have been living at the hospital with her, and their other children have had to go and stay with other family members around the country.
On top of this, since Beatrix has been in hospital, Keira and Luke have not had any income coming in because Luke is a self-employed plasterer – so a family friend, Mike Newell, set up a GoFundMe to support them.
So far, more than £5,600 has been raised which has meant Keira and Luke have been able to pay their bills and provide for their family.
Keira said: “It’s been absolutely amazing – at first, we were very apprehensive but to see the people rally behind us has been amazing and has taken that bit of stress and pressure off us.”
What is myocarditis?
Myocarditis is a disease that causes inflammation of the heart muscle.
Myocarditis can develop suddenly, can be recurring or it can be long-lasting.
Most people will recover without any lasting effects.
But in rare cases, if the inflammation is severe, myocarditis can scar the heart muscle.
This damage means the heart has to work harder to pump blood and oxygen around the body.
In some cases, this can result in the heart muscle becoming bigger, and over time, weaker.
People with myocarditis can get chest pain and feel breathless.
It’s not unusual for these symptoms to start up to two weeks after being unwell with an infection.
Common symptoms of myocarditis include:
- Chest pain or discomfort, or a feeling of tightness in the chest
- Shortness of breath, either at rest or when active, or in certain positions, such as lying down
- Unusual tiredness
- Palpitations (like your heart is fluttering, racing, or pounding)
- An irregular heartbeat
- Feeling light-headed or fainting
- Recent flu-like symptoms such as high temperature, headaches, body aches, joint pain, or sore throat
- Rarely, swelling in hands, legs, ankles or feet
Source:
Keira and her family are now in a “waiting game” as Beatrix has just undergone genetic testing to see if she has an underlying issue, such as heart disease.
Beatrix is currently on several medications, including a sedative, so Keira and Luke have been able to see only “glimpses of her personality” come through.
Keira said: “It’s going to be a really long road and she’s nowhere near recovery yet.
“She’s in a critical condition at the moment but they have stabilised her.
“It’s so emotionally draining and you get to a point where you can’t actually cry anymore.”
To donate to the family’s GoFundMe, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/luke-keira-willis-parents-of-beatrix