Nine-year-old died of infection, inquest heard

3:37pm Wednesday 20th February 2008

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A NINE-year-old boy who battled a rare childhood cancer for nine months died from a blood infection, an inquest heard.

Hamzah Ibrahim was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in July 2006.

He was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital before undergoing an operation at a specialist hospital in Birmingham in March 2007.

In April 2007, following the operation, the former Pikes Lane Primary pupil, of Sherringham Place, Daubhill, was given a course of chemotherapy at the children's hospital and sent home.

His parents, Anis and Razia, became concerned that Hamzah was becoming unwell so contacted the hospital. They were told to monitor him and check his temperature.

But his condition deteriorated and his parents dialled 999 and Hamzah was rushed to the Royal Bolton Hospital on April 13.

Dr Powell, consultant paediatrian at the hospital told the hearing today: "It was clear he was extremely unwell when he arrived and was very close to dying."

He told the hearing he believed Hamzah had died from bacterial septic shock which had overwhelmed his body.

Dr Melanie Newbould, a consultant paediatric histopathologist at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, said: "The major findings in Hamzah were those of shock. The condition can have a number of causes. On this occasion I am not able to say what the cause of the shock was but it is most likely that he died of septicaemia."

Dr Estlin, consultant paediatric oncologist at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, told the inquest Hamzah was fine when he was discharged from the hospital. He said chemotherapy can leave a person more susceptible to infections from within the body, and believed this is what had happened to Hamzah.

DS Raymond Sherlock, of Bolton CID, who investigated Hamzah's death, as is the procedure in all sudden deaths, said his investigation was consistent with the evidence given in the hearing.

Coroner Jennifer Leeming said: "I will record the medical cause of Hamzah's death which, on the balance of probabilities, I believe to be septicaemic shock.

"On the balance of probabilities, Hamzah died as a consequence of a complication of necessary chemotherapy treatment for a Ewing's tumour."

She then paid tribute to Hamzah. She said: "It takes courage and determination to undergo that sort of treatment, especially for a child of nine-years-old, all be it with the support of his family.

"It is to say the least tragic that unfortunately those who have given evidence here today were unable to save him.

Speaking after the inquest, Hamzah's father paid tribute to his son.

Mr Ibrahim said: "He was an absolutely superb son. He never moaned about what he was going through.

"We all miss him so much. We visit his grave at Overdale every day."

He never moaned, he was a superb son'

SPEAKING after the inquest, Anis Ibrahim, Hamzah's father, paid tribute to his brave son.

Mr Ibrahim said: "He was an absolutely superb son.

"He never moaned about what he was going through.

"We all miss him so much. We visit his grave at Overdale every day."

Mr Ibrahim, who was at his son's bedside every day he was in hospital, said: "I just can't believe he has gone.

"I've not been in his bedroom since he died.

"All his toys are still there. I just can't go in there.

"He loved cars, he was always asking about them.

"Even when he was in hospital he would ask for people's car keys.

"I think he would have been a mechanic when he was older."

Mr Ibrahim, who works as a housing consultant, said: "He always thought about everyone else.

"The last thing he said to me before he died was Dad, make sure nobody else like me suffers'."

Hamzah also loved sport, particularly football and karate.

His school, Pikes Lane Primary in Gibraltar Street, Deane, paid tribute to him by hosting sponsored events last July, raising money for the cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

The school also set up a special memorial board with photographs of Hamzah.