Tópico: Death of baby Gloria sparks hunt for truth

[FZapp]

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/05/1194117959740.html

NINE-MONTH-OLD Gloria Thomas was in such distress that her crying alarmed some passengers on a plane trip from India to Sydney.

She had been overseas for two months receiving medical treatment, and homeopathic medication from an uncle for severe eczema.

But in that time she missed two appointments which separate doctors had made for her at specialist dermatologists.

In May 2002, less than 10 days after her return, she was admitted to the Children's Hospital at Randwick severely malnourished and with infections to the skin and eyes.

She had died within three days of sepsis (bacterial infections) which had caused bleeding in her lungs and airways.

Even though she was born a normal weight, she was underweight for her age, and had a zinc, protein and vitamin A deficiency, the Glebe Coroner's Court heard.

Nurses at the Earlwood Early Childhood Centre had diagnosed that Gloria, an only child, had failed to reach developmental milestones from an early age, counsel assisting Chris Hoy told the court.

"During the last months of her short life, Gloria had an unhappy and eventually tragic medical history," he said.

Her father, Thomas Sam, who practised and taught homeopathy, had applied homeopathic remedies to try to cure Gloria's eczema since she was diagnosed with it when aged about four months, he said.

The inquest, which will examine the role of nutrition in her death, will also examine the actions of her father and mother, Manju Samuel, and advice they received from doctors and homeopaths. Mr Hoy said the inquest would reveal if homeopathy should be better regulated or scrutinised.

A forensic pathologist, Ella Sugo, told the court a micro-organism which was commonly found in broken skin, was isolated in Gloria's blood, urine, skin and eyes. She had abnormally pale skin and hair. Dr Sugo found her immune system was weakened. Her thymus gland, a part of the immune system, had shrunk after originally being in good condition.

A geneticist, Bridget Wilcken, told the court tests did not reveal any abnormalities or disorders which could explain Gloria's protein deficiency. She had no vitamin B12 deficiency, sometimes found in people on a vegetarian or vegan diet, Professor Wilcken said.

The inquest continues.

[Alenônimo]

Vai… Fica dando remédios homeopáticos pra criança e não vai em um médico de verdade… Bem feito: a criança morreu.

[BetinhOzinhO]

Bem feito: a criança morreu.

Que frase cruel.

[rizk]

Vai… Fica dando remédios homeopáticos pra criança e não vai em um médico de verdade… Bem feito: a criança morreu.

Nem brinca, meu. A bronca que eu tenho de homeopatia tem mais ou menos a ver com isso: eu bebê tinha muita otite, muita amidalite, e cresci ouvindo que foi a homeopatia que me salvou e tal. Aí já com uns 16 anos fiz um tratamento que não funcionou e fiquei com a pulga atrás da orelha, troquei por um médico normal e fiquei ok.

Depois li (creio que aqui mesmo) que bebê tem geralmente essas coisas e que costuma passar conforme a gente cresce (caso, naturalmente, a criança não fique toda infectada e morra, não é?).

Daí que NÃO SÓ minha família descuidou da minha saúde quando eu era bebê e incapaz de escolher meus tratamentos QUANTO minha mãe, hoje em dia, às vezes briga comigo porque "todo mundo quer tomar remédio pra tudo e é culpa da michelle que inventou essa moda de remédio alopático", fico verde de ódio.  Tive uma pequena desforra, porém, quando o médico brigou com ela e a proibiu de tomar o ginko biloba porque o ginko biloba é SUJO e que ela tinha que comprar o de farmácia comum que vinha puro e em dosagem certa e tal. HÁ!, chupa.

Aí nessas horas que a gente pensa que pena alternativa é tudo de bom: deviam condenar essa família a proibição de comprar remédio comum - deixa se virar doente tomando aguinha pra ver o que é bom. Criança, gentes, convenhamos.