Baby dies from meningitis just hours after he laughed for the first time

A heartbroken family have spoken of their pain after their four-month-old baby died from meningitis - just hours after laughing and giggling for the very first time.

When they noticed a rash, the family of Evan Summerfield had no idea that 12 hours later he would be fighting for his life.

On March 25 he woke up with discoloured skin from the top of his head to his belly-button, so his great grandma did the 'glass test', to see if it faded under pressure.


Afterwards, Evan was rushed to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, on March 25, with suspected meningitis.

A team of "amazing" doctors and nurses fought to save him after he was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia, but Evan died just hours later.

Devastated gran, Sarah Summerfield, has spoken of how the horrid disease struck from nowhere.

The 38-year-old said: "We're so confused how fast this horrible, nasty illness just takes hold.
"One moment he was laughing and smiling and then - it seems like in a heartbeat - he was so cruelly taken away."

Born on November 3, Evan was just four-months-old when he was taken ill with a high temperature while staying with his great grandparents.

Sarah said: "They took him to the doctors and that was the first and last time he laughed. It's like he left it for us.

"The doctor said he had a virus and gave him Calpol and Nurofen, and said if it gets worse he should come straight back.

"They went home and put him to bed and he was fine, but in the morning he had a rash from the top of his head to his belly button.

"My mum did the glass test and called 999 - she was so quick-thinking - it would be easy to think it was chicken pox.

"I just remember him having doctors and nurses all around him. But he was pronounced dead at 10.15am.

Sorrow: The gorgeous little boy had laughed for the first time just hours before he died

"I'm 38 and I never thought I would have to sort out a funeral, never mind for my 17-year-old daughter having to organise one for her four-month-old son.

"It's not right. I should have gone first before my grandson."

Sarah said the awful news still doesn't seem real, with herself, Evan's mum Shannon E-Summerfield, 17, and father, Kris Adams, 19, all devastated by the news.

Sarah added: "He was so loved by everyone around him and everyone who saw him would comment on his gorgeous big, blue eyes. He was such a content baby.

"He had just learnt a new trick of taking his dummy out, and he loved the Simpsons, Iggle Piggle and 64 Zoo Lane - and even used to watch MASH with his great grandad.

"Everyone said what a brilliant mother Shannon was and Kris was a brilliant father. Even if Shannon just left the room for a second when she came back he would say 'muh' and his big eyes would be beaming."