Health and Me

Ishita Roy

What Started As Flu-Like Symptoms Left This 4-Year-Old In A Coma And Fighting to Walk

Four-year-old Sienna Dunion had initially <span>flu</span>-like symptoms, however her condition rapidly worsened, leading to a coma. What seemed like a simple flu was actually Acute Necrotising Encephalitis (ANE), a rare and severe brain disorder. After undergoing multiple surgeries and having removed 60% of her intestines, she is now struggling to walk and talk like from before. 

The first indication, which was very easy to miss was when she asked to return home five minutes after heading out to play with her scooter, reports The Independent. She had always been happy and exciting, so for her to return home so soon was not normal. She had also complained about feeling "cold and chilly" to her older sister, however, all of such symptoms were just seen as a common cold or flu signs. 

As a result, her parents, Gary and Angelina Dunion, decided to keep her off school on Monday 17 November. Her temperature raised, no one was really concerned. All of these were cold and <span>flu symptoms</span>. She was still playing with her Barbies. 

But it was on a Wednesday morning when she became unresponsive and had to make an emergency trip to A&amp;E in Kettering. This is when she was induced into coma and diagnosed with the rare brain disease ANE. 

Three weeks later, her family is facing the challenges to cope with the new changes which may take away how her daughter was before. Now, she requires years of intense rehabilitation to learn how to walk and talk again. 

<h2>What is Acute Necrotising Encephalitis (ANE)?</h2>

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare and serious brain condition that can cause sudden and rapid neurological decline after a viral infection, most often the flu or COVID-19. Because only a small number of cases have been reported worldwide, there is no standard treatment, making diagnosis and management especially difficult.

Sienna's father told The Independent, "For us, it’s really important that people can understand this has happened to a really healthy four-year-old girl who had no underlying issues. It has completely changed our lives overnight. What started as a flu has turned into a complicated brain disease and the last three weeks have just been horrendous.”

<h2>A Rare Diagnosis, But Urgent Care</h2>

Sienna had been feeling unwell on Monday and Tuesday, but it was on November 19 that her condition suddenly worsened. Her mother, Mrs Dunion, became alarmed when she tried to wake her and realised Sienna was unresponsive.

At A&amp;E, doctors initially believed she was dehydrated after she tested positive for influenza. However, a CT scan showed unusual findings, including white lesions, while other test results remained unclear.

By 11 pm, doctors decided Sienna needed to be moved to the intensive care unit at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre. An MRI scan later confirmed a diagnosis of acute necrotising encephalopathy (ANE), a rare condition linked to viral infections.

Because of how uncommon the disease is, doctors designed a personalised treatment plan for her. This included plasma exchange, a procedure her family described as effectively washing her brain.

On Saturday, November 22, an ultrasound revealed a large build-up of fluid in her stomach. Sienna had to undergo emergency surgery, during which 60 per cent of her intestines were removed. Her father called it the hardest night of his life.

She later needed two more surgeries after air was found in her abdomen. Sienna now has a stoma bag and will live with short bowel syndrome for the rest of her life.

“The one thing doctors have been clear about is that she will not be the same when she fully wakes up,” Mr Dunion said. “She will need extensive rehabilitation.”

Although Sienna is awake, her father explained that she does not understand what is happening around her. She is weak, struggles to track with her eyes, and cannot eat on her own. The family is now fundraising to support her rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, feeding support, and changes needed at home.

The couple also have a seven-year-old daughter, who is very close to Sienna. “They are best friends,” Mr Dunion said. “She keeps asking, ‘Where is Sienna? When can we be a family again?’”

He added that it is impossible to explain the seriousness of the situation to her. “I can’t tell her that she won’t be able to talk to her sister for a long time.” 

“She was the most caring, easygoing four-year-old I’ve ever known,” her father said. “Even when she had a fever, she would check our temperature to make sure we were okay.”

He described her as a social child who loved being around other kids and had an infectious belly laugh. “We just don’t know if we’ll hear that laugh again,” he said.

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Four-year-old Sienna Dunion had initially flu-like symptoms, however her condition rapidly worsened, leading to a coma. What seemed like a simple flu was actually Acute Necrotising Encephalitis (ANE), a rare and severe brain disorder. After undergoing multiple surgeries and having removed 60% of her intestines, she is now struggling to walk and talk like from before. How Did It Begin?The first indication, which was very easy to miss was when she asked to return home five minutes after heading out to play with her scooter, reports The Independent. She had always been happy and exciting, so for her to return home so soon was not normal. She had also complained about feeling "cold and chilly" to her older sister, however, all of such symptoms were just seen as a common cold or flu signs. As a result, her parents, Gary and Angelina Dunion, decided to keep her off school on Monday 17 November. Her temperature raised, no one was really concerned. All of these were cold and flu symptoms. She was still playing with her Barbies. But it was on a Wednesday morning when she became unresponsive and had to make an emergency trip to A&E in Kettering. This is when she was induced into coma and diagnosed with the rare brain disease ANE. Three weeks later, her family is facing the challenges to cope with the new changes which may take away how her daughter was before. Now, she requires years of intense rehabilitation to learn how to walk and talk again. What is Acute Necrotising Encephalitis (ANE)?Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare and serious brain condition that can cause sudden and rapid neurological decline after a viral infection, most often the flu or COVID-19. Because only a small number of cases have been reported worldwide, there is no standard treatment, making diagnosis and management especially difficult.Sienna's father told The Independent, "For us, it’s really important that people can understand this has happened to a really healthy four-year-old girl who had no underlying issues. It has completely changed our lives overnight. What started as a flu has turned into a complicated brain disease and the last three weeks have just been horrendous.” A Rare Diagnosis, But Urgent CareSienna had been feeling unwell on Monday and Tuesday, but it was on November 19 that her condition suddenly worsened. Her mother, Mrs Dunion, became alarmed when she tried to wake her and realised Sienna was unresponsive.At A&E, doctors initially believed she was dehydrated after she tested positive for influenza. However, a CT scan showed unusual findings, including white lesions, while other test results remained unclear.By 11 pm, doctors decided Sienna needed to be moved to the intensive care unit at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre. An MRI scan later confirmed a diagnosis of acute necrotising encephalopathy (ANE), a rare condition linked to viral infections.Because of how uncommon the disease is, doctors designed a personalised treatment plan for her. This included plasma exchange, a procedure her family described as effectively washing her brain.On Saturday, November 22, an ultrasound revealed a large build-up of fluid in her stomach. Sienna had to undergo emergency surgery, during which 60 per cent of her intestines were removed. Her father called it the hardest night of his life.She later needed two more surgeries after air was found in her abdomen. Sienna now has a stoma bag and will live with short bowel syndrome for the rest of her life.“The one thing doctors have been clear about is that she will not be the same when she fully wakes up,” Mr Dunion said. “She will need extensive rehabilitation.”Although Sienna is awake, her father explained that she does not understand what is happening around her. She is weak, struggles to track with her eyes, and cannot eat on her own. The family is now fundraising to support her rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, feeding support, and changes needed at home.A family struggling to copeThe couple also have a seven-year-old daughter, who is very close to Sienna. “They are best friends,” Mr Dunion said. “She keeps asking, ‘Where is Sienna? When can we be a family again?’”He added that it is impossible to explain the seriousness of the situation to her. “I can’t tell her that she won’t be able to talk to her sister for a long time.” “She was the most caring, easygoing four-year-old I’ve ever known,” her father said. “Even when she had a fever, she would check our temperature to make sure we were okay.”He described her as a social child who loved being around other kids and had an infectious belly laugh. “We just don’t know if we’ll hear that laugh again,” he said.