Diabetes appeal after death of 'darling' toddler
Lyla Story's dad described her as his "darling little girl"
- Published
A coroner has called for better awareness of the symptoms of diabetes after a two-year-old girl died from the disease.
An inquest heard Lyla Story, from Hull, died in May less than 24 hours after her mum had taken her to their doctor, who diagnosed acute tonsillitis.
Following her death in Hull Royal Infirmary she was found to have undiagnosed type 1 diabetes.
Senior Coroner Prof Paul Marks said he was writing a Letter of Concern calling for "a wider approach and education" about the condition, which will be addressed to the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Prof Marks added that the disease "needs to be at the forefront of clinicians' minds".
Giving a ruling of death by natural causes due to diabetic ketoacidosis, the coroner said that the GP made a "reasonable diagnosis of acute tonsillitis".
Parents Emma and John Story are campaigning for Lyla's Law
The coroner's call was echoed by Lyla's parents, who are campaigning for testing for the condition when patients display any of the "Four Ts", which are Toilet (frequent urination), Thirsty, Tired and Thinner (unexplained weight loss).
Giving evidence during the inquest at Hull Coroners Court, Mr Story described his daughter as their "darling little girl", adding that her death had left a "hole in our lives".
The family has set up a petition, so far signed by more than 20,000 people, calling for Lyla's Law, which would see routine testing of blood and urine where symptoms warrant it.
Her father John Story told the BBC: "If someone is displaying any symptoms of type 1 diabetes, especially in children, just finger-prick them if there is even just one sign to rule it out."
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