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Camden New Journal - EXCLUSIVE By TOM FOOT
Published: 17 January 2008

Killer that’s ‘virtually undetectable’

BABIES suffering the onset of meningococcal septicaemia are often floppy, lethargic and difficult to wake.
Symptoms are flu-like, usually developing over a matter of hours, but sometimes days. One sign is a skin rash that does not fade under pressure. It is caused by the bacteria invading the lining which surrounds the brain.
Richard Pearce, for the GMC, told the hearing: “I would like to make it clear the prosecution does not believe Dr Singh should have diagnosed meningococcal septicaemia.”
Medical experts at the hearing agreed that spotting the condition in young babies is near impossible. Dr Rosemary Jane Mortem, one of the authorities called to give evidence, said: “It is easy in retrospect to spot the early signs of illness. But MS in babies at an early stage is virtually undetectable.”

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