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2:41pm Friday 18th July 2008
A TEENAGE Hampshire mum is demanding answers after her new baby contracted meningitis twice in one month.
Teenager Charlotte Bruty now faces an agonising wait to see if her 12-week-old son will suffer long-term problems after being left with brain damage by the potentially fatal virus.
She has been told little Liam Stone could develop learning difficulties or problems with walking and speech, after contracting meningitis just three days after he was born at Southampton's Princess Anne Hospital.
The head of Southampton University Hospitals Trust has defended his organisation's maternity services as among the best in England, and says the safety of mothers and babies is a top priority.
Chief executive Mark Hackett is now urging Charlotte to contact them with her concerns, so a full investigation can be launched. Charlotte, 17, says she is planning to lodge a formal complaint, but is suffering with post-natal depression sparked by the traumatic ordeal.
"You just don't expect to be told that your baby has got meningitis at three days old. It's the worst thing you've ever got to hear," she told the Daily Echo.
"The first time was bad enough but the second time it's as if someone's out to get me. It was so hard to hear. I was in a right state. I couldn't stop crying.
Liam's clear now, but they've done a brain scan and he's got some damage to the left side of his brain. It could make him have problems with walking, speech or learning difficulties."
After being diagnosed with meningitis, Liam spent a week on an incubator and another week on medication before Charlotte was able to take him home to Totton.
But just a fortnight later she again became concerned for his health and the baby was rushed back into hospital where it was confirmed he had contracted the disease for a second time.
"You think it's all clear and all of a sudden he's screaming and it won't stop," said Charlotte.
"The fact that he got it a second time is unreal."
Charlotte is now calling for a review of procedures at Princess Anne.
"I just think it's a joke. They need to do something about the way they deal with this sort of thing," she said. "It's not made me want to have any more children too soon, and especially not at the Princess Anne."
Mr Hackett said: "Our maternity services are among the best in the country, with the safety of women and their babies always our number one priority."
disgusted, says...
11:36am Fri 18 Jul 08
c, says...
11:39am Fri 18 Jul 08
George wrote:Well george, you sound like a nice caring person, "it doesen't matter that he might have learning difficulties" i bet your children, grandchildren are very proud of you.
is suffering with post-natal depression sparked by the traumatic ordeal.
It's not bloody post-natal depression, then, is it! Jesus, this is just a twist on the old "whiplash" insurance fraud.
Finding it a bit of a struggle being a 17 year old mum, are you love? Not as easy as you thought, now, was it? It doesn't matter that he might have learning difficulties, that doesn't really get in the way of your average shoplifting career
Sheila, Colden Common says...
11:40am Fri 18 Jul 08
c, says...
12:04pm Fri 18 Jul 08
c, says...
12:22pm Fri 18 Jul 08
George, says...
12:29pm Fri 18 Jul 08
c wrote:I know that, and I have done. I'm not under any orders to maintain a balance of nice-vs-unpleasant comments, though. I feel very sorry for the girl - I even said so above - because I know all too well how nasty meningitis is. But when people go blabbing to the papers about how they've somehow been wronged by a hospital, it always ends in them suing the hospital, and, I'm sorry, but suing hospitals doesn't help anyone. They're horrendously mis-funded as it is, we don't need even more money haemmoraging out of them to pay for law suits.
Yes george it is a comment site, but you know you can post nice comments as well dont you, i feel very sorry for this young girl, you dont know her circumstances and it makes me angry when i read nasty comments like yours, there's no need for it.
George, says...
12:35pm Fri 18 Jul 08
c/ford, says...
1:24pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Finlay, Des Moines, Iowa says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jul 08
tone, says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jul 08
a parent, says...
3:26pm Fri 18 Jul 08
General Malaise, Nearby says...
3:28pm Fri 18 Jul 08
caz, says...
5:33pm Fri 18 Jul 08
me, says...
6:00pm Fri 18 Jul 08
disgusted wrote:I agree who is too say she is bad mother, does anyone know anything of her, anyone ca be a bad parent age has nothing to do with it, a few years back this was the average age too have children, so i think you all should shut your mouth
i cant believe i have just read all of the above comments. we are talking about a 12 week old baby here who could be permanently brain damaged and all you lot can do is rip into the mum for being 17 yrs old. do you know any of the circumstances why she fell pregnant? NO so how can you possibly judge her. this story is about the baby and the feelings of the young mother as she struggles to come to terms with what has happened here. you are all just bigots and should be ashamed of yourself. TO THE YOUNG MOTHER: i hope you and your baby get all the support and help you need. to happen once is not fair but to happen twice is just cruel.
c, says...
7:56pm Fri 18 Jul 08
bigots, southampton says...
9:24pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Emma hazell, Southampton says...
9:53pm Fri 18 Jul 08
N. Bruty, Totton says...
9:55pm Fri 18 Jul 08
C.Bruty, Totton says...
10:59pm Fri 18 Jul 08
George, says...
9:19am Sat 19 Jul 08
N. Bruty wrote:Nobody cares, "N". Well, obviously, I wish your grandson a speedy recovery and hope he's ok. Sincerely. Beyond that? Mneh. 17 is too young to be a parent
I am Charlotte's dad and I am appalled and disgusted at some of the comments made regarding the article about her son. The majority of the comments are pure speculation with absolutely no basis in truth and many appear to be unrelated to the article that was printed in the Echo. I can categorically state that Charlotte has no intention of suing anyone. She spoke to the Echo to highlight the terrible illness that her baby contracted from only a few days old and subsequently suffered from again after being given the "all clear" by the Princess Anne Maternity Hospital. She feels that the SUHT could have done more to ensure that Liam was completely clear of the virus before he was given the "all clear" and sent home the first time. She hopes that by raising her concerns with SUHT, more thorough screening will ensure that other Mums will not have to go through the traumas that she did when her baby was only days and weeks old.
helsbels, in the sun says...
9:22am Sat 19 Jul 08
littlelady, soton says...
10:56am Sat 19 Jul 08
Liams dad, says...
11:03am Sat 19 Jul 08
Emma hazell, Totton says...
12:55pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Lowe and Behold, St Marys hotseat says...
3:45pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Emma hazell wrote:Most girls are randy little S**** as for your comments i can not stop laughing you plank...
So she had a baby at 17 she made a mistake but instead of using abortion like most girls theses days she has faced up to the fact she got pregnant and is a good mum! Most girls are having babies younger then 17! So what age is not to young? And who is to say she should not have a baby? I bet half of you are parents on benefits your self! I may be assuming but you are all o quick to assume when it comes to charlotte!
Bright Spark, Sofa says...
4:27pm Sat 19 Jul 08
George, says...
5:00pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Liams dad wrote:What do you care what I do with my time? I don't have to get up to go to work on a Saturday, no. I wasn't dumb enough to get somebody pregnant at 16, so I reckon I've got more of a life than you for starters. Doubtless you're one of the endless shell-suits wandering around with a pushchair and that bewildered "I only went out for a few pints, where'd this family come from?" look that pervades most of the city these days.
George dont you have anything better to do with your time! Whats a matter dont you have to get up and go to work because the government are paying you to sit here and slag off people. You seriously need to get a life! And by the way the legal age limit to have a child is 16 so obviously 17 isn\'t too young
Big Vern, says...
5:40pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Mel, says...
5:42pm Sat 19 Jul 08
George wrote:You are the possibly the most arrogant, rancid little w*nkrag on these messageboards. You are about as endearing as one Ian Brady.
Liams dad wrote:What do you care what I do with my time? I don't have to get up to go to work on a Saturday, no. I wasn't dumb enough to get somebody pregnant at 16, so I reckon I've got more of a life than you for starters. Doubtless you're one of the endless shell-suits wandering around with a pushchair and that bewildered "I only went out for a few pints, where'd this family come from?" look that pervades most of the city these days.
George dont you have anything better to do with your time! Whats a matter dont you have to get up and go to work because the government are paying you to sit here and slag off people. You seriously need to get a life! And by the way the legal age limit to have a child is 16 so obviously 17 isn\'t too young
I didn't realise there was a legal age limit for bearing children, could you cite which law this is you're referring to? Oh, you mean the age of consent? That's to have sex, "Liams dad" (ahem), not the same thing. Common sense (ask an adult) tells most normal people that 17 is too young to be a parent. Or do you need rules and laws laid out to do all of your thinking for you?
Stop lecturing people and go and take care of your sick son and girlfriend
George, says...
8:39pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Mel wrote:Feel good, did it? Does verbally abusing people get you off? Well, I'm happy to have helped you in your little masturbation games. I love how people like you have absolutely nothing to say on the stories, but plenty to say on the perceived character of anyone with whom you disagree. Speaks volumes. Ok, I take it back. Liams dad should not go take care of his sick son and girlfriend.
George wrote:You are the possibly the most arrogant, rancid little w*nkrag on these messageboards. You are about as endearing as one Ian Brady.
Liams dad wrote:What do you care what I do with my time? I don't have to get up to go to work on a Saturday, no. I wasn't dumb enough to get somebody pregnant at 16, so I reckon I've got more of a life than you for starters. Doubtless you're one of the endless shell-suits wandering around with a pushchair and that bewildered "I only went out for a few pints, where'd this family come from?" look that pervades most of the city these days.
George dont you have anything better to do with your time! Whats a matter dont you have to get up and go to work because the government are paying you to sit here and slag off people. You seriously need to get a life! And by the way the legal age limit to have a child is 16 so obviously 17 isn\'t too young
I didn't realise there was a legal age limit for bearing children, could you cite which law this is you're referring to? Oh, you mean the age of consent? That's to have sex, "Liams dad" (ahem), not the same thing. Common sense (ask an adult) tells most normal people that 17 is too young to be a parent. Or do you need rules and laws laid out to do all of your thinking for you?
Stop lecturing people and go and take care of your sick son and girlfriend
I see earlier comment about raping babies got removed. Does your conscience know no bounds ?
You are utterly vile and god forbid you ever have children. Tantamount to child abuse with you for a parent.
Perhaps young Charlotte actually might be able to teach you a thing or two. At least she had the kahunas to make herself known, even if people do disagree with what she said.
I doubt you will post your true identity ...much easier to sit and troll from the comfort of your keyboard isnt it ?
You spineless turd.
George, says...
8:45pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Mel, says...
9:15pm Sat 19 Jul 08
George wrote:Its not what you say, its the way you say it, and you know it.
Mel wrote:Feel good, did it? Does verbally abusing people get you off? Well, I'm happy to have helped you in your little masturbation games. I love how people like you have absolutely nothing to say on the stories, but plenty to say on the perceived character of anyone with whom you disagree. Speaks volumes. Ok, I take it back. Liams dad should not go take care of his sick son and girlfriend.
George wrote:You are the possibly the most arrogant, rancid little w*nkrag on these messageboards. You are about as endearing as one Ian Brady.
Liams dad wrote:What do you care what I do with my time? I don't have to get up to go to work on a Saturday, no. I wasn't dumb enough to get somebody pregnant at 16, so I reckon I've got more of a life than you for starters. Doubtless you're one of the endless shell-suits wandering around with a pushchair and that bewildered "I only went out for a few pints, where'd this family come from?" look that pervades most of the city these days.
George dont you have anything better to do with your time! Whats a matter dont you have to get up and go to work because the government are paying you to sit here and slag off people. You seriously need to get a life! And by the way the legal age limit to have a child is 16 so obviously 17 isn\'t too young
I didn't realise there was a legal age limit for bearing children, could you cite which law this is you're referring to? Oh, you mean the age of consent? That's to have sex, "Liams dad" (ahem), not the same thing. Common sense (ask an adult) tells most normal people that 17 is too young to be a parent. Or do you need rules and laws laid out to do all of your thinking for you?
Stop lecturing people and go and take care of your sick son and girlfriend
I see earlier comment about raping babies got removed. Does your conscience know no bounds ?
You are utterly vile and god forbid you ever have children. Tantamount to child abuse with you for a parent.
Perhaps young Charlotte actually might be able to teach you a thing or two. At least she had the kahunas to make herself known, even if people do disagree with what she said.
I doubt you will post your true identity ...much easier to sit and troll from the comfort of your keyboard isnt it ?
You spineless turd.
So, non-spineless turd, post your full name and address, since that is apparently the epitome of nobility now.
Mel, says...
9:20pm Sat 19 Jul 08
George wrote:Quote 'So, non-spineless turd, post your full name and address, since that is apparently the epitome of nobility now'
Mel wrote:Feel good, did it? Does verbally abusing people get you off? Well, I'm happy to have helped you in your little masturbation games. I love how people like you have absolutely nothing to say on the stories, but plenty to say on the perceived character of anyone with whom you disagree. Speaks volumes. Ok, I take it back. Liams dad should not go take care of his sick son and girlfriend.
George wrote:You are the possibly the most arrogant, rancid little w*nkrag on these messageboards. You are about as endearing as one Ian Brady.
Liams dad wrote:What do you care what I do with my time? I don't have to get up to go to work on a Saturday, no. I wasn't dumb enough to get somebody pregnant at 16, so I reckon I've got more of a life than you for starters. Doubtless you're one of the endless shell-suits wandering around with a pushchair and that bewildered "I only went out for a few pints, where'd this family come from?" look that pervades most of the city these days.
George dont you have anything better to do with your time! Whats a matter dont you have to get up and go to work because the government are paying you to sit here and slag off people. You seriously need to get a life! And by the way the legal age limit to have a child is 16 so obviously 17 isn\'t too young
I didn't realise there was a legal age limit for bearing children, could you cite which law this is you're referring to? Oh, you mean the age of consent? That's to have sex, "Liams dad" (ahem), not the same thing. Common sense (ask an adult) tells most normal people that 17 is too young to be a parent. Or do you need rules and laws laid out to do all of your thinking for you?
Stop lecturing people and go and take care of your sick son and girlfriend
I see earlier comment about raping babies got removed. Does your conscience know no bounds ?
You are utterly vile and god forbid you ever have children. Tantamount to child abuse with you for a parent.
Perhaps young Charlotte actually might be able to teach you a thing or two. At least she had the kahunas to make herself known, even if people do disagree with what she said.
I doubt you will post your true identity ...much easier to sit and troll from the comfort of your keyboard isnt it ?
You spineless turd.
So, non-spineless turd, post your full name and address, since that is apparently the epitome of nobility now.
George, says...
9:27pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Mel wrote:You can wait all you like, it ain't happening. If you think that makes me a gutless turd, you're up a gum tree. Things aren't so just because you say they're so. You see fit to call me names just because I haven't posted my full name, well, that means you think that doing so would be the right thing to do. So get on with it, otherwise, by your own definition, you're a gutless turd. So which are you? A hypocritical, up-your-own-arse boring mindless fool who has nothing to say other than to try and pick fights over the Internet, or a gutless turd? You decide
George wrote:Quote 'So, non-spineless turd, post your full name and address, since that is apparently the epitome of nobility now'
Mel wrote:Feel good, did it? Does verbally abusing people get you off? Well, I'm happy to have helped you in your little masturbation games. I love how people like you have absolutely nothing to say on the stories, but plenty to say on the perceived character of anyone with whom you disagree. Speaks volumes. Ok, I take it back. Liams dad should not go take care of his sick son and girlfriend.
George wrote:You are the possibly the most arrogant, rancid little w*nkrag on these messageboards. You are about as endearing as one Ian Brady.
Liams dad wrote:What do you care what I do with my time? I don't have to get up to go to work on a Saturday, no. I wasn't dumb enough to get somebody pregnant at 16, so I reckon I've got more of a life than you for starters. Doubtless you're one of the endless shell-suits wandering around with a pushchair and that bewildered "I only went out for a few pints, where'd this family come from?" look that pervades most of the city these days.
George dont you have anything better to do with your time! Whats a matter dont you have to get up and go to work because the government are paying you to sit here and slag off people. You seriously need to get a life! And by the way the legal age limit to have a child is 16 so obviously 17 isn\'t too young
I didn't realise there was a legal age limit for bearing children, could you cite which law this is you're referring to? Oh, you mean the age of consent? That's to have sex, "Liams dad" (ahem), not the same thing. Common sense (ask an adult) tells most normal people that 17 is too young to be a parent. Or do you need rules and laws laid out to do all of your thinking for you?
Stop lecturing people and go and take care of your sick son and girlfriend
I see earlier comment about raping babies got removed. Does your conscience know no bounds ?
You are utterly vile and god forbid you ever have children. Tantamount to child abuse with you for a parent.
Perhaps young Charlotte actually might be able to teach you a thing or two. At least she had the kahunas to make herself known, even if people do disagree with what she said.
I doubt you will post your true identity ...much easier to sit and troll from the comfort of your keyboard isnt it ?
You spineless turd.
So, non-spineless turd, post your full name and address, since that is apparently the epitome of nobility now.
As I can clearly see you love to set an example, I'll gladly follow yours.
Wating..
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David Light, Southampton says...
11:20am Fri 18 Jul 08
.org