'My daughter ended up in a coma after tummy bug symptoms'
A mum has warned of the dangers of sepsis after her 13-year-old's undiagnosed condition deteriorated.
www.bbc.comDirect answer: The latest reporting indicates Felicity-Jo Rowlett-Howes, a 13-year-old from England, woke from a two-week induced coma in mid-April 2026 after septic shock linked to undiagnosed congenital bowel adhesions, with recovery continuing on a hospital ward.[1][6]
Context and key developments:
- Initial issue and misdiagnosis: Felicity-Jo’s severe abdominal symptoms were initially thought to be a stomach bug, but investigations revealed congenital intestinal adhesions causing a complete bowel obstruction, leading to infection and sepsis.[3][4][1]
- Intensive care and surgery: She required emergency surgery to remove damaged bowel sections and spent about two weeks in an induced coma on life support in a pediatric ICU, followed by a battle with blood clots and rehabilitation needs.[4][5][1]
- Recovery trajectory: After emerging from the coma, she began to show signs of improvement, including walking with assistance and speaking, with care shifting from intensive care to a general ward as she continues recovery and stoma care.[5][6][1]
Additional notes:
- Coverage spans multiple outlets, including BBC reporting and regional outlets that framed the event as a cautionary example about sepsis and misdiagnosed abdominal pain in children.[6][1]
- Public interest has centered on awareness and early recognition of sepsis symptoms in youths, as evolving care included vascular complications and long-term rehabilitation needs.[3][5]
If you’d like, I can summarize the timeline in a short timeline table or pull direct quotes from the cited articles. I can also look for any updates beyond April 2026 if you want the most current status.