Aspiring Nurse's Tragic Death After Constipation Misdiagnosis
The family of Zana Afrifa, an aspiring nurse from Smethwick, has settled a medical negligence claim following a detailed investigation into her care. The 18-year-old died on September 18, 2021, from a rare intestinal condition that had been repeatedly attributed to constipation by medical professionals.
History of Illness and Repeated Misdiagnosis
Zana suffered from severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation for nearly two years before her death. Between October 2019 and September 2021, she visited her GP and the hospital on six separate occasions. During each visit, her distressing symptoms were consistently linked to constipation, with no further investigation into potential underlying causes.
Final Hospital Visit and Discharge
On September 16, 2021, Zana was taken to Sandwell Hospital's A&E department in extreme distress. In the early hours of September 17, she was treated with morphine and an enema. Her symptoms appeared to improve temporarily, leading to her discharge with advice to return if her condition worsened.
Tragic Discovery and Rare Medical Condition
Despite the discharge, Zana remained unwell. The following morning, her mother found her unresponsive in bed. A post-mortem examination revealed she died from a caecal volvulus, a rare twisting of the intestine typically found in older patients. This condition led to peritonitis, a life-threatening infection.
Inquest Findings and Family's Hope
An inquest in October 2023 recorded a conclusion of natural causes. The coroner found no evidence of failures but noted it would have been appropriate to refer Zana to a surgical team or perform an X-ray. However, clinicians at the time felt the radiation risks of an X-ray for a woman of child-bearing age outweighed the benefits.
Zana's family described her as a beautiful soul, a gentle and caring person who worked at a retirement village and dreamed of a nursing career. Her uncle, Nigel Seales, expressed hope that sharing her story would raise awareness and prevent other families from experiencing similar pain.
