Child survives sepsis after 12 surgeries and lung removal

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 15:32 · Archive

A five-year-old girl in Western Australia survived severe sepsis that required 12 major surgeries, removal of her right lung and 112 days in hospital.

Bubba Kaio Rerekura's life-threatening illness began with an infected cut on her hand. The infection progressed to severe sepsis, discovered when she was rushed to hospital with intense leg pain and fever. After initial surgery to investigate the swelling in her leg, her body went into septic shock and her organs began to fail.

Over the following months, Bubba underwent 12 major surgeries and had her right lung removed. She spent 112 days in hospital. Doctors told her parents her body wanted to die, but she survived. She is now five years old and able to swim and practice mixed martial arts using a leg that was nearly lost to the infection.

Bubba's mother, Charky Kaio Rerekura, shared the family's story at the Telethon Ball in Western Australia, raising awareness of the innovative therapy that helped save her daughter's life. The family and doctors are seeking to ensure more children in Western Australia can access the emerging treatment, which currently has limited availability in the state.

How it is being reported

• ‘Her body wanted to die’: How Telethon-funded treatment saved Bubba Kaio Rerekura’s lifeDoctors told Bubba’s parents that her body wanted to die. After 12 major surgeries, the removal of her right lung and 112 long days in hospital, her survival is nothing short of a miracle.Perth Now · 17 Oct, 15:20
• ‘Her body wanted to die’: How Telethon-funded treatment saved Bubba Kaio Rerekura’s lifeDoctors told Bubba’s parents that her body wanted to die. After 12 major surgeries, the removal of her right lung and 112 long days in hospital, her survival is nothing short of a miracle.The West Australian · 17 Oct, 15:20

In this story: Bubba Kaio Rerekura · Charky Kaio Rerekura · Western Australia · Telethon

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