Rory Cullum was only 19 days old when he contracted sepsis in July 2020, which led to him losing his right leg. His mum Charlotte is sharing his story to help other parents learn the signs of sepsis to look out for in babies.

My son Rory was nearly three weeks old when my husband Pete and I noticed he was warm to the touch and wouldn’t settle from early evening. His breathing also seemed very wheezy.

We took him to our local A&E where he was put onto antibiotics. It was the next day when we were told that his condition had worsened, he had gone into septic shock and had meningitis. He required resuscitation via an IO line and was blue lighted to Sheffield Children’s Hospital where he was on a ventilator in ICU.

Several hours after arriving, my husband and I were informed by a Consultant in Intensive Care that Rory had contracted sepsis. My husband and I were devastated when we were told, but we were just praying that he would survive.

Our wider family were similarly devastated. Rory was a cherished grandson, nephew, cousin –  and just a tiny baby who they hadn’t met yet because of the Covid pandemic. Lockdown measures at the time meant that nobody had been able to have a first cuddle and, in the first 24 hours of Rory’s illness, there was a strong chance that they may never get that cuddle.

Rory was on a ventilator in ICU with antibiotics through a drip for several days before moving to High Dependency for the remainder of his antibiotics course. Due to complications arising from sepsis he had to have his right leg amputated. Sheffield Children’s Hospital saved his life and we can’t put into words how grateful we are.

While Rory was an inpatient there, we were put in touch with the Psychology team, who helped us process our emotions. We had several sessions spanning a few months.

Though he was given three weeks of antibiotics to treat the infection, the complications relating to Rory’s leg and subsequent amputation will require specialist care for the rest of his life. By 10 months old, he had undergone twelve surgeries on his leg.

I have nightmares that take me back to that time in hospital with Rory, so I try not to relive those memories if I can help it. However the one thing that has kept my husband and I going has been Rory’s resilience through it all. He defied his odds and survived sepsis and meningitis when merely a newborn. Through the surgeries, the bandages, wounds and constant three hour round trips to Sheffield over the past two years, he has shown nothing but determination and positivity. He is such a happy little boy, full of spirit, and, despite his amputation, he has the stubbornness and grit to overcome all challenges. We’re so proud of what an incredible, joyful, brave little boy he is.

I’m sharing our story for Sepsis Research FEAT as I want to spread awareness of the sepsis red flags in babies. My husband and I knew nothing about the symptoms of sepsis. If we had known prior to Rory’s illness, perhaps we’d have acted quicker or expressed more urgency to the A&E staff. Who knows if that could have prevented his life changing disability.

I had not heard about Sepsis Research FEAT prior to Rory’s illness. I find the charity’s Instagram page helpful because I like to share the posts regarding the symptoms. The posts are concise and well structured, with just the right information. After what we went through with Rory, I have a constant underlying fear of this happening to other babies so I am dedicated to educating other new parents by continually sharing the symptoms as published on Sepsis Research’s Instagram page.

My message to others is to learn the signs of sepsis, particularly in children. Remember them, share them. Having that knowledge could very much be the difference between life and death for somebody.