Grieving Mom Urges Parents to Trust Their Instincts After Tragic Loss From Meningitis

Ginger McCall is mourning the loss of her newborn baby following the infant’s sudden death from meningitis. In the immediate days after the tragic turn of events, the mom has taken to social media to call out Salem Health Hospital for missing the signs, and encourage parents to always go with their gut when it comes to their children.

“My 7-week-old daughter, Evi, died of bacterial meningitis on March 17 after being treated at Salem Hospital. On the morning of March 15, I took her to the Salem Hospital ER, where they saw us, treated her with Tylenol and fluids, then discharged us, while she still had a fever,” McCall explains on Twitter.

Despite the hospital’s orders to return home, the mom knew something wasn’t right with Evi. She decided to bring her in to their pediatrician, who saw them immediately and advised them to go back to the ER. After arriving for the second time, the hospital then checked the baby for meningitis. It was too late.

“Her condition deteriorated rapidly. Salem Hospital called Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), but she was too unstable to be transferred. They worked for an hour or more to stabilize her before transferring her via ambulance to OHSU in Portland, where she was comatose,” the mom tragically shares. The baby girl passed while McCall held her in her arms.

Contracting bacterial meningitis for babies is more common than you would think. Since it’s easily spread via kissing, sharing drinks and close contact, it’s often associated with college kids, but it can also be spread through E.coli or listeria in food, through airborne particles from coughs or sneezes and during birth from Group B strep in mom’s body (Group B can be easily detected during pregnancy with a swab test, and passing Group B strep to baby can be prevented with antibiotics during labor).

It’s important to know the warning signs for meningitis, such as sudden onset of fever, headache and stiff neck, according to the CDC. In newborns and babies, these symptoms may be absent or difficult to notice, but the baby may be irritable, vomit, feed poorly or appear to be slow or inactive. Even if you’re just mildly concerned, contact your doctor. The infection escalates quickly and dangerously.

“If you are a parent, trust your instincts,” McCall urges. “Know the signs of meningitis and advocate strongly for yourself and your child.

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