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BABY-KILLER FIGHTS FOR LIFE
The Angel of Death nurse Beverley Allitt who killed four babies and attacked nine others is battling deadly sepsis
BABY-KILLER nurse Beverley Allitt, named The Angel of Death, is fighting for life with suspected sepsis.
Staff at Rampton high-security hospital raised the alarm after the 49-year-old, who murdered four tots and attacked nine others, fell ill.
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It was understood she was admitted to hospital last Sunday and has since been receiving round-the-clock care.
A source said: “There are genuine concerns as to whether she’ll pull through.”
Allitt went on a deadly 59-day spree at a children’s ward at Grantham and Kesteven Hospital, Lincs, in 1991 — giving patients large insulin overdoses.
Her first and youngest victim, Liam Taylor, was just seven weeks old when he was brought in with a chest infection. He was murdered days later. Some of those who survived were left with life-long disabilities.
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Allitt was the only nurse on duty during every attack, but pleaded not guilty at trial. She was convicted of four counts of murder, three attempted murders and six counts of GBH.
She was given 13 life sentences, with a minimum of 30 years. But Allitt was sent to Rampton after medics ruled she was a risk to herself.
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Doctors believe she suffered from Münchausen syndrome or Münchausen syndrome by proxy — causing her to inflict injury on others to attract attention or sympathy.
Allitt was being treated at Bassetlaw hospital in Worksop, Notts.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU'RE SUFFERING SEPSIS?
Septicaemia, also known as sepsis, is a rare but serious complication of an infection that can quickly lead to multiple organ failure and death.
Also known as blood poisoning, it occurs when large amounts of bacteria enter the bloodstream.
Bacterial meningitis can lead to septicaemia.
Sepsis can also be caused by viral or fungal infections, although bacterial infections are by far the most common cause.
Symptoms in children under 5
- your child may look mottled, bluish or pale
- is very lethargic and difficult to wake
- feels abnormally cold to touch
- is breathing very fast or having difficulty breathing
- has a rash that does not fade when you press on it
- is fitting or convulsing
- has a high temperature
- refusing to eat or drink
- has not had a wee for over 12 hours
Symptoms in older children and adults
- a high temperature
- chills and shivering
- fast heartbeat
- fast breathing
- feeling dizzy or faint
- confusion and disorientation
- diarrhoea
- nausea and vomiting
- slurred speech
- severe muscle pain
- breathlessness
- not urinating for a day
- cold, clammy and pale skin
- loss of consciousness
If any of these symptoms develop you should seek medical advice straight away.
Sepsis is caused when the body responds to infection by attacking its own organs.
It leads to fever, breathing problems, raised heart rate, low blood pressure and can kill if antibiotics do not work.
Last night a spokeswoman for Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust declined to comment.
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