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Inquest into death of Louise Alleeson

00:01, 30 August 2018

A mum whose bones shattered during an intense seizure did not die directly from her injuries as previously determined, an inquest was told.

Louise Alleeson, from Minster, Thanet, suffered complex health problems as a result of long-term steroid use to control her acute asthma.

The 41-year-old’s condition was considered so severe she was the first person in Kent to undergo a specialist treatment prescribed by asthma consultant Dr Dennis Malamis.

Canterbury Magistrates' Court
Canterbury Magistrates' Court

But the approach failed to mitigate the requirement for steroids and as a result Ms Alleeson developed osteoporosis and a weakened immune system.

Opening the inquest a year before assistant coroner James Dillion adjourned the hearing after requesting further information from Dr Malamis.

The inquest heard how Ms Alleeson died of pneumonia in December 2016, a year after suffering an unexplained seizure which caused multiple fractures to her spine, pelvis and shoulder.

Giving evidence at the hearing witness Charlie Scamp, who was dating Ms Alleeson, described the terrifying incident.

The landscape gardener told the hearing: “I can’t remember the time but Strictly Come Dancing was on the TV.

"She made a glass of lemonade and I asked ‘are you ok?’ she then went completely stiff, she was not responding.

"Her eyes were closed and I noticed blood was coming from her nose.

"I called an ambulance, the telephone operator asked me to put her in the recovery position but I did not want to move her as she was crying in pain.”

"I called an ambulance, the telephone operator asked me to put her in the recovery position but I did not want to move her as she was crying in pain" - Charlie Scamp

Ms Alleeson was taken to QEQM hospital before being transferred to King’s College hospital in London for further treatment.

After three weeks she was transferred back to Margate and was released home in March 2016.

But despite her recovery from various operations the former dinner lady was admitted back in hospital in August where she suffered numerous infections which were "running out of control due to a low immune system".

Ms Alleeson grew weaker and died in hospital several months later.

The original cause of death was attributed to the injuries sustained in the seizure and operations allowing infection to set.

But after hearing evidence the conclusion was changed when evidence at the earlier hearing revealed the infection could have been sourced from Louise’s right leg which had become ulcerated.

The primary causes of death have now been recorded as pneumonia and asthma.

The secondary cause of death was recorded as multiple trauma.

Mr Dillion concluded a narrative verdict, saying: “She had been on long-term medication for asthma which did impact on her bone density and her immune system, making her vulnerable to injury and infection.

"It had not been possible to wean her off steroid treatment which was necessary to control her asthma.”

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