Lessons to be learned after five-year-old Walsall boy with complex needs died as a result of severe dehydration
An inquest into the death of a five-year-old Walsall boy found he died as a result of severe dehydration due to an undiagnosed condition with links to autism.
Joshua Lee Allcock, who had complex needs, died in hospital on January 3, 2023 after suffering a bleed on the brain. The three-day hearing was told that it was clear that the child was dehydrated when he was admitted to Walsall Manor Hospital on December 28, 2022 in a poorly condition before being transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital the next day.
The cause of death was given as brain bleed, dehydration and abnormally low sodium levels.
Recording a narrative conclusion Senior Black Country Coroner Zafar Siddique said: "Joshua had developed dehydration during the course of his placement with his foster carers due to ARFID [Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake].
“It is likely that on the balance of probabilities when he saw the GP on December 28 there would have been dehydration. The CRT [Capillary Refill Time] test of under two seconds gave false reassurance.”
"The deceased Joshua Lee Allock died from severe dehydration due to limited diet due to autism and ARFID."
