A young couple experiences every parent’s worst nightmare as they grieve the sudden death of their baby daughter after routine surgery.
Three-year-old Aliyah Yugovich was admitted to St John of God Murdoch Hospital in Perth’s south on June 28 for a routine tonsillectomy. She was discharged the following day.
Hours later on Sunday evening, Aliyah was rushed to the emergency department at Perth Children’s Hospital after the toddler developed a fever and flu-like symptoms. There, she and her mother Jess waited four hours to see a doctor.
Aliyah was diagnosed with influenza A and was discharged three days later, on July 3.
The next morning, Aliyah’s condition worsened. She began coughing and vomiting blood.
Emergency services were called to the home and performed prolonged CPR before Aliyah was rushed back to Perth Children’s Hospital and placed in an induced coma on a ventilator.
On Saturday evening, brain scans and an EEG showed that Aliyah had no brain activity.
The next morning, Aliyah died after her life support was turned off.
Aliyah Yugovich (pictured) died Sunday morning after her ventilator was turned off
An online fundraiser has been set up to support Aliyah’s parents Jessica, a small business owner, and Josh, a contractor, “as they face every parent’s worst nightmare.”
The couple has no personal leave and is raising their one-year-old son Elijah.
“We can’t change what happened and we can’t take away their pain, but we want to help where we can during this devastating time,” wrote organizer Tessa Pritchard.
The online fundraiser has already raised more than $62,000 in just a few hours.
Aliyah’s mother posted a touching tribute to her daughter on social media on Sunday.
“After a short but courageous fight, our girl got her wings in the early morning hours,” Mrs. Yugovich wrote.
‘As we held her tight and the sun began to rise, she floated to the other side of the rainbow.’
“You are perfect for this world Aliyah Mae, life will never be the same without you.”
Aliyah spent two stints in Perth Children’s Hospital where she lost her brave fight for life
Mrs. Yugovich told The Western Australian that Aliyah was ‘unique’.
“She made an impression on everyone she ever met,” she said.
“Even if you met her for just 30 seconds, you would never forget it.”
Mrs Yugovich paid tribute to the PCH staff, saying they did everything they could to save Aliyah.
However, the family has questions about the care Aliyah received at both hospitals and would like answers so other families do not have to experience the same pain.
Simon Wood, acting director of the Children and Young People’s Health Service, said a full investigation would be carried out into Aliyah’s condition and the care he is receiving.
“The death has been reported to the coroner, as is standard practice, and the cause of death will be determined following an autopsy and coroner’s examination,” he told the publication.
St. John of God Murdoch expressed his sincere condolences to the Yugovich family.