A seven-year-old boy and a seven-month-old baby girl died from the same viral infection of the heart which killed Tyrone football captain Cormac McAnallen last year, an inquest was told yesterday.
Consultant pathologist, Dr Fadel Bennani informed coroner John O'Dwyer at inquests in Castlebar, Co Mayo that myocardial infarction is caused by a virus which can get into the bloodstream and affect vital organs including the heart. Dr Bennani was giving evidence at inquests into the deaths of Pádraic Quigley (7), from Garryduff, Castlebar and Touba Rehman (7 months), Abbeyvale, Ballyhaunis.
Both children died suddenly last year. Pádraic Quigley had complained earlier of vomiting and diarrhoea. After collapsing at home he was taken to Mayo General Hospital where he died.
Touba Rehman, a twin, who lived in Ballyhaunis with her Pakistani-born parents, died in a doctor's surgery in Ballyhaunis despite efforts to revive her. She had complained of a cough earlier. Dr Bennani told the inquests that myocardial infarction was a very rare condition.
He said the organism was a virus which can get into the bloodstream and affect vital organs. The danger is that the virus could spread to the heart and brain causing meningitis.
The pathologist explained that he had sought confirmation of his findings from a colleague at University College Hospital, Galway and from one of the country's foremost paediatricians at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children.
Dr Diarmuid Murray, Knock, one of a number of doctors who treated the infant girl, said myocardial infarction causes a very high mortality rate, even if the patient is brought into hospital.
Sympathising with the parents of both youngsters, the coroner said the condition was rare but had affected a number of notable sportsmen.
Mr O'Dwyer returned a verdict of death from natural causes in both cases in accordance with the medical evidence.