- Tahlia Ravens, three, found lifeless in bed by mother on June 2 last year
- Had suffered rare reaction to virus, caught by more than half of children
- Became only fourth child to die from the bug in UK in past eight years
- Mother Karen Glover has described her daughter as ‘blue-eyed angel’
- ‘Slapped cheek’ virus causes flu-like symptoms and red rash on face
19:05 EST, 16 April 2014
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02:34 EST, 17 April 2014
‘Blue-eyed angel’: Tahlia Raven suffered a rare and fatal reaction to the common childhood bug
Smiling and bright-eyed, little Tahlia Raven looks the picture of health.Â
But shortly after this photo was taken, she died from a common childhood bug normally so benign that it goes completely unnoticed in a third of cases.
Just a day earlier Tahlia had been playing outside in the sunshine with her sister Annaliese, five, and there was nothing to suggest she was unwell.
The bug, commonly called the slapped cheek virus because of the bright red flush it can trigger on the face, is caught by more than half of children.
Tahlia’s rare reaction meant she became only the fourth child to die from the virus in the UK in the past eight years.
It was only following a post-mortem examination that the three-year-old was found to have had the bug, also known as parvovirus.
The airborne virus is spread in the same way as cold or flu viruses and is most prevalent in six- to ten-year-olds.
After an inquest her grief-stricken mother, Karen Glover, spoke of her heartbreak at losing her ‘beautiful blue-eyed angel’.
She said: ‘She was healthy before this. I have been told it is very common in playschools and nurseries and we don’t know why it killed her.’
The inquest in Chelmsford, Essex, heard how Ms Glover found her daughter lifeless in bed on the morning of June 2 last year.
Tragic discovery: Tahlia’s mother Karen Glover (left) found her daughter lifeless in bed on the morning of June 2 last year, an inquest in Chelmsford, Essex, heard. Right, Tahlia is pictured in a Tinker Bell top at three years old
Sisters: Just a day earlier Tahlia (right) had been playing outside in the sun with her older sister Annaliese (left)
The post-mortem examination revealed no evidence of a range of serious conditions, including meningitis or pneumonia.
She may have had a minor heart defect, although it was unclear whether this would have affected Tahlia’s ability to fight the infection.
Dr Marion Malone, a specialist paediatric pathologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, told the hearing on Monday: ‘I have to consider all possible causes of sudden death in a previously well three-year-old child.
Happier times: After the inquest Ms Glover, spoke of her heartbreak at losing her ‘beautiful blue-eyed angel’
Expert opinion: Dr Marion Malone, a specialist paediatric pathologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital (pictured) in London, said that, on the balance of probability, the toddler died from parvovirus, or ‘slapped cheek’ bug
‘The only significant thing I did find was a very swollen brain and some inflammation of the wind pipe. I identified parvovirus from the heart and brain. It is very common in children and known as slapped cheek disease.
 ‘On the balance of probability, I put down the cause of death as parvovirus. This is very rare. I have not seen a case before which caused such swelling of the brain.’
Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray concluded: ‘Tahlia sadly died at home, a sudden and unexpected death of a little girl who seemed perfectly healthy. She clearly was much-loved.’
Beloved: Symptoms of slapped cheek virus include a flu-like illness and the distinctive red rash on the face, which can spread to the limbs. Above, Tahlia is pictured with Annaliese (left) and at six months old (right)
Ms Glover, from Southend, added the inquest had given her ‘some closure’ as she accepted nothing could have been done to save her daughter. ‘If we had gone to the doctor all they would have given us would be Calpol,’ she said.
Symptoms of slapped cheek virus include a flu-like illness and the distinctive red rash on the face, which can spread to the limbs.
The only risk group is pregnant women as there is a risk of miscarriage. There is no vaccine, as the virus usually only lasts a few days.
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The comments below have been moderated in advance.
elaineann,
Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
it is actually parvo virus i know because i had it 12 years ago at the age of 48 i was so ill i was hospitalised and took weeks to recover to find it had left me with fibromyalgia so they do need to take this more seriously its a nasty bug
Amanda,
London,
1 hour ago
what a beautiful little girl…so sad
Spantrekker,
Mazarron Spain, Spain,
1 hour ago
We’re now told that Slapped Cheek is one of the four most common childhood ailments. Well my wife and I are now retired and we had never heard of it until about three years ago and my wife was a nurse at St.Thomas’ Hospital in London! All I can say is that there must have been an awful amount of misdiagnoses when we were growing up.
LordLuther,
Glasgow, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
Such a sad story… R.I.P little one and deepest sympathy to her family and friends….
Dalt,
AU,
1 hour ago
What a sad situation, however, I see a vaccination coming our way soon.
Lornie,
Worcestershire,
1 hour ago
Oh she’s gorgeous. My heart goes out to her parents.
Go on – give us a smile love!,
London,
1 hour ago
Absolutely terrifying. My thoughts with her family and those who loved her.
say whaaaat?,
Cornwall, UK,
1 hour ago
Tragic. RIP
me here,
London,
1 hour ago
Such a beautiful little girl ! RIP sweetheart xx
Nats LondonTown,
London,
1 hour ago
Gorgeous little girl x RIP
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