A boy of just 13 years old, identified by the name of Miguel Fernandes Brandão, was an only child and considered a true miracle for his parents, Genilva Fernandes and Fábio Luiz Brandão.
It turns out that the two had spent years struggling to get pregnant, and when they finally did, the baby’s arrival was celebrated by friends and family, after all, it was the family’s first grandchild on both sides.
However, in mid-November last year, the love story turned into something tragic and generated a lot of indignation, with Miguel passing away after almost a month of hospitalization in a health unit at Hospital Brasília, in the Federal District.
The boy was the victim of a bacterial infection, and now, his parents are reporting the health unit for medical negligence and are also seeking answers regarding the loss they suffered.
Early symptoms and seeking care
On the night of October 11, a Friday, Miguel began to show symptoms of allergic rhinitis, something that was already part of his routine. With medication, he was able to sleep, but woke up in the middle of the night with a fever.
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The next day, the fever persisted, and on Monday the 14th, Genilva also began to feel unwell. Believing that they might have COVID-19, the parents decided to take Miguel to the hospital.
At Hospital Brasília, a doctor attributed the bad taste in the boy’s mouth to nasal secretion, but his parents suspected something more serious, as Miguel had already complained of a sore throat and difficulty swallowing saliva. But despite their concerns, he was released.
The worsening of the situation and the struggle for adequate care
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On the night of the 14th, the fever returned stronger and more persistent. On Tuesday, the 15th, Miguel woke up with vomiting, diarrhea and extreme weakness. He could barely walk.
Upon returning to the hospital, his skin was yellow and his extremities were purple. A doctor who was finishing her shift showed concern and ordered quick tests, indicating that the case might require intensive care.
However, with the change of shift, the medical approach changed. Despite changes in the exams, Miguel was sent to an adult room, as there was no space in pediatrics.
During the early hours of the morning, he continued to have a high fever and was not receiving adequate medical care. His mother alerted the professionals several times, but they ignored her, and she was described in the medical records as “anxious”.
The situation worsens and negligence continues
On Wednesday the 16th, doctors continued to treat the case as a virus and insisted on palliative measures. Miguel remained feverish and with spots on his body.
On Thursday the 17th, Miguel’s condition worsened significantly. He had pain in his throat and chest, his belly was swollen, and his skin continued to show spots. Even so, the doctors refused to order more detailed tests, saying that his mother should be patient.
The collapse and the race against time
In the early hours of Friday the 18th, Miguel’s condition took a sudden turn for the worse. He was sweating excessively and showing signs of septic shock. The ICU team was finally called. Miguel was intubated and new tests were performed, revealing a severe bacterial infection.
His body was already compromised. He developed kidney, liver and lung failure. His skin became necrotic and had to be scraped off. Even so, the medical team was slow to adopt effective measures.
During a catheter change, his bladder was punctured, making his condition even worse. On November 9, Miguel died. Now, the family is searching for answers after the tragedy.