Inquest finds neglect contributed to baby’s meningitis death

An inquest jury found that neglect contributed to the death of five-month-old Esta High, concluding that appropriate care would probably have saved or prolonged her life. The jury said opportunities to diagnose and treat her bacterial infection were missed after doctors continued with a Covid diagnosis. Esta died of streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis at Leeds General Infirmary on November 6, 2023, after being taken to the hospital with a high temperature and vomiting. She had tested positive for coronavirus. The jury concluded that she died of natural causes, with neglect contributing to her death. Lawyers for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust admitted during the inquest that opportunities to diagnose the infection and give Esta antibiotics had been missed. The jury heard that scans and other tests showed evidence of meningoencephalitis and streptococcus pneumoniae by late afternoon on November 2. She was taken to intensive care, where attempts were made to save her life. Her mother, Lynsey Carr, told the inquest that Esta had been left untreated for 55 hours. That duration was Carr’s account. She said she and Esta’s father, Leon High, repeatedly sought help as their...