Mum says doctors must be ‘more aware’ of rare heart disease after ‘loving’ toddler dies

Kye Pinkney died at Barnsley Hospital on July 19, 2019 after suffering from a disease called myocarditis, which weakens the heart muscle and the ability to pump blood round the body.

An inquest into the tot’s death took place on Thursday, March 4, 2021. The coroner present found that Kye Pinkney died of natural causes.

Speaking after the inquest, Kye’s devastated family have criticised the apparent lack of understanding of myocarditis among the professionals who cared for their son, and called for greater awareness of the disease.

Rachael Hanley, Kye’s mother, said: “For us, [the inquest] was about change and improvement of the systems and protocols but due to the small scope of an inquest and the legalities surrounding the four main questions we were unable to freely give our opinion and ask for change directly.

A 'violent and nasty' Sheffield woman who slashed her victim’s face with a penknife has been locked up for seven years

"This has now been made more difficult by the coroner’s ruling. We both remember Kye's final days as if it was yesterday.

“The medical professionals present at Kye's inquest do not remember him with the exception of one consultant and they had to simply rely on the basic notes in his medical records, which clearly did not represent or document everything in which we had discussed with the doctors.

“At the inquest we had hoped there would be some emphasis that the condition Kye passed away from [myocarditis] as it is rare but doctors need to be more aware of the symptoms and how a child can present when suffering.

"The doctors who saw Kye had no experience in treating or identifying myocarditis and with this in mind we find it difficult to understand how they would have identified it."

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium).

It can affect the heart muscle and heart's electrical system, reducing the heart's ability to pump and causing rapid or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

This reduced ability to pump can mean that the body does not get enough blood and in severe cases clots can form in the heart. These can in turn cause a stroke or heart attack.

Two Sheffield men accused of killing Jordan Marples-Douglas set to stand trial today

Rachael added: “We feel disappointed by the outcome of the inquest and the way the conclusion was delivered in such a cold, cruel way.

"The coroner went on to ask if we would be having further children - something we feel is highly inappropriate due to the nature of why we were there.

“Our main priority is raising awareness about myocarditis and for families to be aware of the signs and symptoms.

“Kye was an adorable, loving, happy little boy who had the most amazing smile and filled any room with happiness. He has left a huge hole in our hearts and left behind his sister Evie-Mae (aged 5) and we miss him dearly.”

A spokesperson for Barnsley hospital said: “Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust offers its deepest condolences to Kye’s family for their loss.”