Sheffield hospital saves 11-year-old’s life after infected finger reveals serious problem

When Dylan Holliday developed an infection in his finger last month, little did the 11-year-old’s mum Kay know that it would end with him being rushed to Sheffield Children’s Hospital with a life-threatening illness linked to diabetes.
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Kay took Dylan to the out-of-hours GP after he started being sick, presuming it was just the antibiotics he was taking for the infection, but he was immediately rushed by ambulance to Sheffield Children’s Hospital where he required life-saving care.

Kay, from Richmond, recalled: “He had a nasty infection, so the GP prescribed him with some antibiotics. I am paediatric first aid trained, so I was looking out for signs of sepsis.

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“He kept saying ‘I just don’t feel well mummy’ but I just assumed it was due to the antibiotics he was taking. He then started to be sick, so we booked an out-of-hours appointment.

L-R: Matt Holliday, Dylan Holliday, Kay Holliday and Isabelle Holliday.L-R: Matt Holliday, Dylan Holliday, Kay Holliday and Isabelle Holliday.
L-R: Matt Holliday, Dylan Holliday, Kay Holliday and Isabelle Holliday.

“When we got there, he was struggling to stand up and was completely out of it. He looked really unwell and after examining him they just said, ‘we need to call 999 now.”

Dylan was transferred by ambulance to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where he was immediately taken through to the resuscitation area in the Emergency Department.

Kay continued: “The team there were just phenomenal. From doing checks and tests, to administering cannulas and oxygen, they just danced around each other. It was seamless and the staff were so calm, even when they could see how worried we were.

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“It wasn’t long before they said they were confident Dylan had type-1 diabetes and that diabetic ketoacidosis was making him seriously unwell. It was such a shock. Looking back, he was drinking more but we didn’t think anything of it because we were in a heatwave.”

Dylan Holliday during his stay at Sheffield Children's Hospital.Dylan Holliday during his stay at Sheffield Children's Hospital.
Dylan Holliday during his stay at Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakes the cells in the pancreas as harmful and attacks them.

Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the body starts to run out of insulin, causing harmful substances called ketones to build up. It can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.

Kay added: “Dylan’s ketone levels were dangerously high, and his heart rate shot up. He was screaming in pain and having episodes where he was delusional and seeing things.”

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Dylan then lost consciousness and was transferred to the intensive care unit, where he spent several hours before his condition was stable enough to move on to the high dependency unit at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Dylan Holliday at his welcome home party.Dylan Holliday at his welcome home party.
Dylan Holliday at his welcome home party.

Kay said: “The care we received was absolutely amazing from the moment we entered the Emergency Department. The compassion they showed, being able to listen to you sobbing and reassure you at your lowest moments, I’ll never forget that.”

The Children’s Hospital Charity are fundraising to transform the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, which was built to see 32,000 children every year but now sees almost 58,000.

For critically ill patients arriving by helicopter or ambulance like Dylan, the expansion will create a much-needed larger resuscitation area.

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After five days, Dylan was well enough to return home again where he has now returned to his hobbies of drawing and playing computer games. He is eagerly awaiting starting secondary school for the first time in September, but life will never quite be the same again.

Dylan Holliday during his stay at Sheffield Children's Hospital.Dylan Holliday during his stay at Sheffield Children's Hospital.
Dylan Holliday during his stay at Sheffield Children's Hospital.

For children with type 1 diabetes, everyday eating and drinking require constant counting for carbohydrates, with insulin doses tailored for every child. Insulin levels are also adjusted if blood sugar levels are running too high or low.

Normal activities including exercise and going out for meals pose their own challenges, while holidays require extra planning for insulin storage.

Dylan is now under the care of the diabetes team at Sheffield Children’s, which cares for patients across South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire each year. It also deals with admissions for serious complications from diabetic ketoacidosis.

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Kay continued: “Our lives have now changed forever, we’re constantly learning about diabetes and the impact it will have on our lives, but the diabetes team have been amazing.

“Every one of them made the effort to introduce themselves and check in with us during our stay in hospital and they have been a constant source of support. The dieticians also call every couple of days offering advice and helping us with any questions we have.

“My message to any parent out there would be to look out for the signs. It may be rare, but it can happen to anyone, at any time, for any reason.”

The fundraising to build a new Emergency Department has been adversely affected by the cancellation of charity events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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To support the effort, visit www.tchc.org.uk, call 0114 321 2470 or text SHEFFCHILDRENS to 70085 to donate £5. This costs £5 plus your standard message rate.

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