Girl, 5, died suddenly just days after parents took her to GP

An inquest has been launched into the tragic death of a five year old girl who died just days after first feeling ill.

The hearing will into Aria Rose George's death will determine whether earlier treatment could have saved her life from a medical condition that was unknown to her family.

The inquest, held at Swansea's Guildhall, heard how Aria, who resided with her parents in Cimla, Neath, sadly passed away at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on September 27, 2024.

Aria had no known medical conditions, but during the week beginning September 23, 2024, she fell ill and was taken to her local GP and then to Neath Port Talbot Hospital for treatment, where she received medication before returning home.

Her condition did not improve, leading her parents to take her back to the hospital. It was then decided that she should be transferred to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for a CT scan.

The scan revealed that Aria was suffering from a global intracerebral bleed with hydrocephalus, and a CT Thorax showed pulmonary emboli, reports Wales Online.

Preliminary results and the clinical picture were consistent with acute myeloid leukaemia, according to discussions with haematology.

After consultations with senior medical teams, including haematologists, neurosurgeons and the critical care team, it was decided in Aria's best interests to place her in "supportive comfort care."

She was made comfortable overnight, and the next day she was palliated with her parents by her side.

Tragically, Aria continued to deteriorate and was pronounced dead at 1.38pm on September 27, 2024 by consultant Dr Richard Skone.

The proposed cause of death has been listed as non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage and acute myeloid leukaemia.

Senior coroner Aled Gruffydd stated that an investigation must be conducted to determine whether earlier treatment could have been provided, and emphasised it was in the public interest to establish the facts surrounding her death.

He postponed the inquest until April 29, 2026, and extended his "deepest condolences" to Aria's family.