Mother gives evidence at coronial inquest into her 13-year-old son’s death after he was misdiagnosed
The mother of teenager Luca Thomas Raso, who died after being misdiagnosed, told the Newcastle Coroner’s Court, the doctor immediately ruled out appendicitis.
Newcastle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Newcastle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An inquest into the death of a 13-year-old boy who died from a perforated appendix, heard the doctor completely ruled out a diagnosis of appendicitis and told the boy’s mother he would start to improve.
On Monday, the NSW Coroner begun a four day inquest at Newcastle into the manner and cause of death of Port Stephens teenager Luca Thomas Raso, after seeking treatment in the week leading up to his death.
In February 2017, Luca was mis-diagnosed by a Port Stephens GP as suffering viral gastroenteritis.
Counsel assisting the Coroner Ragni Marthur gave a detailed account of the details leading up to Luca’s death on day one, which was cross-examined by lawyer for the Nelson Bay Medical group Simon Kalfas and Richard O’Keefe of Maurice Blackburn on behalf of the family.
Luca’s mum Michelle Degenhardt told the court it all began when her son stayed home from school on Monday February 20, with a sore stomach and vomiting.
“I rang Luca’s school on Monday morning and Wednesday to report his absence. I had a conversation with the person on the phone that other children at the school had been ill,” Ms Degenhardt said.
Luca’s condition continued to deteriorate days later with further vomiting and diarrhea until Ms Degenhardt took Luca to see a doctor at the Nelson Bay Medical Centre on Wednesday, where they saw Dr. Pavlo (Paul) Bilokopytov.
“Luca had an insatiable thirst so he wanted to drink, but everything he would drink or eat, he would vomit back up and I told the doctor that… he told me not to worry,” Ms Degenhardt added.
“He just excluded it, he said he doesn’t have appendicitis, he has gastro.”
Despite advice by Dr. Bilokopytov to book in Luca again if he continued to have problems, Ms Degenhardt made an appointment for Friday, fearing it may be harder to make an appointment later on if needed.
After getting home, the court heard Luca had at that time stopped vomiting, but his diarrhea continued to get worse.
“He had an accident in the nighttime and it wasn’t right, he had so much watery diarrhea,” Ms Degenhardt said.
“I continued to give him toast, dry sayo’s, icy poles and rice but he just wouldn’t eat anything more than a few bites.
“At some stage he had an accident on the lounge and was embarrassed, so we gave him sanitary pads.”
The court heard how Luca’s sister Victoria took her brother to the Nelson Bay Medical Centre again on Friday as he continued to deteriorate.
“He had one arm around me and one around his stomach. He was unable to walk,” Ms Raso told the court.
Luca laid down on a bed in a separate room before Dr. Bilokopytov came in to examine him.
“While he felt Luca’s bowel, he (doctor) said there was an inflamed bowel,” Ms Raso added.
“There was no discussion as to whether to make another appointment if symptoms got worse. He said there was no need to take him to the poly clinic (local community clinic).”
Ms Raso said she was quite disappointed by the lack of care and action shown by the doctor.
Asked whether Luca had his temperature taken, she replied, “Nothing was taken, all that was done is his shirt lifted and the feeling of his stomach.
“I didn’t see him use the computer at all (for his records).”
Ms Raso also recounted what her brother said when the doctor asked if it hurt, “He just kept saying my tummy hurts, it hurts everywhere,” she said.
His condition seemed to improve on the weekend, but similar symptoms flared up again on Monday which prompted Ms Degenhardt to call the doctor’s office for advice.
“I rang the centre on Monday because his symptoms had changed. I just wanted him to be seen again,” she added.
“We did think he was getting better on the weekend, he was bright, giving his siblings stick but he still didn’t eat a lot.
“At around 12.45pm, he said he felt something like it had popped in his tummy. I told the receptionist his vomit looked like Coca Cola syrup, but they couldn’t get him in until after 2pm at the Salamander Bay clinic.
“After the phone call, he continued to vomit, he was pale and weak, before I called triple 0. After that Lucas attempted to go to toilet and fell over, made strange sounds and stopped breathing.”
Luca’s brother started CPR, before paramedics arrived and he was taken to Tomaree hospital, but tragically couldn’t be saved and died just before 4pm that day.
An autopsy revealed Luca had a perforated appendix and developed gangrenous peritonitis.
Counsel assisting the Coroner Ms Marthur told the court, the inquest would try to determine had Luca’s diagnosis been made earlier, would his death have been prevented, and could possible tests have given a definitive result of appendicitis diagnosis.
The NSW Coroner will also consider whether the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners provided sufficient guidance to its members with respect to the diagnosis and management of appendicitis.
Ms Marthur noted emergency staff at the hospital said Luca’s case was atypical and not a classic case.
Earlier outside Newcastle Coroner’s Court, Ms Degenhardt described her son as full of life, loving and loyal.
“He was courageous, cheeky and a wisdom beyond his years and we miss him everyday,” she said.
“As a mother there will never be another loss that comes close to losing my child. It’s like a nerve has been severed and remains open and raw.
“Lucas’ brothers and sisters have also lost an integral part of themselves, like a puzzle that has lost a connecting piece and nothing is the same.”
Ms Degenhardt said their grief has been made worse knowing her son’s death could have been prevented.
“I have spent the last two and a half years trying to understand how this could of happened and I’m very grateful Lucas death will now be thoroughly examined by the coroner,” Ms Degenhardt added.
“Without any doubt, I know more than anything, that is what Lucas would want.”
Dr. Bilokopytov is expected to give evidence at the inquest on Tuesday.