A TODDLER was left in critical condition and had a leg amputated after what appeared to be a “cold” turned out to be severe sepsis.

Little Loki Whiteside was running around the house playing with his cousins when his worried mum, Naomi, noticed his temperature had risen.

Suspecting the 17-month-old had a cold, she took the toddler to see her doctor, who immediately arranged for Loki to be taken to hospital by ambulance after recognizing the signs of sepsis.

Doctors worked tirelessly to save Loki’s limbs when he arrived at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in February, but sadly had to amputate his right leg above the knee.

Pregnant Naomi, of Sutton Coldfield, said: “Before going to hospital, Loki was such an active, happy little boy who was practically always smiling.

“For the first two weeks in intensive care, Rob and I didn’t see Loki smile. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through.

“The doctors tried every possible treatment to save as much of his leg as they could, but they eventually had to remove it above the knee.

“But it could have been so much worse. He could still be in critical condition today.”

Septic shock is a serious medical emergency that occurs when blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level, reducing the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the body’s organs.

It can develop as a result of sepsis, a condition in which the body’s response to an infection begins damaging its own tissues and organs.

Loki, who is still being cared for in the burns unit at the hospital, now needs round-the-clock care and continues to recover from skin damage and scarring.

Naomi also praised the hospital’s “Giggle Doctors” for helping Loki smile again, saying: “The Giggle Doctors have not only helped Loki on his recovery journey through their work, but they’ve also lifted Rob and me. Every time we see Loki smile, laugh, and enjoy a happy moment, it gives us more strength to keep going together.”

Source:  The Sun