A young girl, aged four, is in critical condition battling a rare brain ailment after contracting the flu. Unfortunately, she will be spending the upcoming Christmas holiday in the hospital. Sienna Dunion, the child in question, initially displayed symptoms of feeling unusually cold and running a fever, which led her parents to believe it was a common cold from school. However, her condition deteriorated rapidly, prompting her parents to rush her to A&E when she did not wake up the next morning.
Following a CT scan at the hospital, doctors identified abnormalities in Sienna’s brain. Subsequently, she was transferred to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham for specialized care after being placed in an induced coma. It was revealed that Sienna was suffering from a severe brain disorder known as Acute Necrotising Encephalitis (ANE), a rare condition that can be triggered by the flu or Covid-19.
Sienna underwent emergency surgery due to an intestinal leak, resulting in the removal of 60% of her intestines. This procedure saved her life but left her with short bowel syndrome, which may lead to nutritional and eating challenges in the future. Sadly, Sienna will be spending Christmas in the hospital, missing out on festive activities like her school’s Christmas dance show and a planned visit to UK Lapland.
Sienna’s father, Gary, expressed the family’s struggle in coping with their daughter’s health crisis, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the diagnosis. Despite efforts to keep their older daughter distracted, the holiday season will undoubtedly be challenging. Sienna’s school has been supportive, offering well-being sessions and interactions with a therapy dog to lift her spirits.
The family anticipates a lengthy hospital stay for Sienna, possibly extending up to three months, as she undergoes rehabilitation and treatment. Gary emphasized the importance of flu vaccinations, as Sienna had not received hers prior to falling ill. He urged other parents to ensure their children are vaccinated to protect against such rare but severe outcomes.