This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/cornwall/7893485.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Dentist fear led girl to starve | Dentist fear led girl to starve |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| An eight-year-old girl who starved to death after having eight teeth removed had "an underlying psychological syndrome", a coroner has ruled. | |
| Sophie Waller, of St Dennis, Cornwall, died in December 2005 of renal failure caused by starvation and dehydration. | Sophie Waller, of St Dennis, Cornwall, died in December 2005 of renal failure caused by starvation and dehydration. |
| She suffered an apparent extreme dental phobia and refused to eat, sleep or drink after her milk teeth came loose. | She suffered an apparent extreme dental phobia and refused to eat, sleep or drink after her milk teeth came loose. |
| She underwent an operation in hospital to remove the teeth but this failed to cure the problem, the hearing was told. | She underwent an operation in hospital to remove the teeth but this failed to cure the problem, the hearing was told. |
| Sophie's parents, Richard and Janet Waller, told the inquest at Truro City Hall she had been scared of dentists and had refused to eat or talk when a milk tooth became loose. The only justification for Sophie's death is that procedures have and will be changed and will hopefully save another child's life Richard and Janet Waller | Sophie's parents, Richard and Janet Waller, told the inquest at Truro City Hall she had been scared of dentists and had refused to eat or talk when a milk tooth became loose. The only justification for Sophie's death is that procedures have and will be changed and will hopefully save another child's life Richard and Janet Waller |
| She was sent to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in November 2005 to have the teeth taken out under general anaesthetic. | She was sent to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in November 2005 to have the teeth taken out under general anaesthetic. |
| Following the operation however, she would not open her mouth to eat or talk and was given a feeding tube on the ward. | Following the operation however, she would not open her mouth to eat or talk and was given a feeding tube on the ward. |
| She was discharged on 17 November and was taken home on the understanding a bed would still be waiting for her in hospital. | She was discharged on 17 November and was taken home on the understanding a bed would still be waiting for her in hospital. |
| Despite attempts to feed her and contact with a psychologist, Sophie's health deteriorated and eventually she could hardly walk. | Despite attempts to feed her and contact with a psychologist, Sophie's health deteriorated and eventually she could hardly walk. |
| She was found dead in her bed at home on 2 December. | She was found dead in her bed at home on 2 December. |
| She lost 11kg (23lbs) in the month before she died. | She lost 11kg (23lbs) in the month before she died. |
| 'Emotional and distressing' | 'Emotional and distressing' |
| Cornwall Coroner Dr Emma Carlyon, who recorded a narrative verdict, said the severity of her condition was not realised and this "prevented her from receiving the medical support that could have prevented her death". | Cornwall Coroner Dr Emma Carlyon, who recorded a narrative verdict, said the severity of her condition was not realised and this "prevented her from receiving the medical support that could have prevented her death". |
| A family friend, Elaine Panks, read a statement on behalf of the family. | A family friend, Elaine Panks, read a statement on behalf of the family. |
| It said: "It has been a very emotional and distressing time. No words can express how we have felt and feel and still feel. | It said: "It has been a very emotional and distressing time. No words can express how we have felt and feel and still feel. |
| "The only justification for Sophie's death is that procedures have and will be changed and will hopefully save another child's life." | "The only justification for Sophie's death is that procedures have and will be changed and will hopefully save another child's life." |