Zara Mulheran: Baby girl tragically dies just days after mum invokes Ryan’s Rule

The Queensland toddler who was placed on life support amid a battle with hand, foot and mouth disease has died in hospital surrounded by her family.

• Six symptoms: When to go to hospital

A Caboolture toddler who suffered two cardiac arrests after contracting hand, foot and mouth disease has died in hospital surrounded by her mother Carly and four older siblings.

A close family friend confirmed the tragic death of 20-month-old Zara Mulheran, saying that Carly and her family were obviously distraught and overwhelmed with emotion.

Zara Mulheran has died in hospital surrounded by family including mother Carly and four siblings.

“Watching how much pain Zara was in, I do believe that her death was entirely preventable,” the friend said.

“Her care was not good enough until she was taken into the ICU ward, before that if Carly hadn’t called Ryan’s Rule, she would have left us sooner.”

A close family friend confirmed the tragic death of 20-month-old Zara Mulheran. Picture: Supplied

Mrs Mulheran had invoked Ryan’s Rule at Queensland Children’s Hospital on March 25 after watching her daughter turn blue in front of medical staff.

“I was told by nurses they had given one round of Endone and that she had been screaming in pain for 11 hours, ‘she has been like this since we started at 7pm’ and that was when I arrived in the morning,” she said earlier this week.

Carly Mulheran invoked Ryan’s Rule at Queensland Children's Hospital last month. Picture: Liam Kidston

The family continues to ask for donations to the GoFundMe page to cover costs of the upcoming funeral.

Health minister Shannon Fentiman confirmed on Tuesday a full inquiry into Zara’s treatment by Queensland Health will be undertaken.

Originally published as Zara Mulheran: Baby girl tragically dies just days after mum invokes Ryan’s Rule