A mother from Coventry has issued a heartfelt plea to parents to trust their instincts after her four-year-old son's unusual symptoms were repeatedly dismissed by doctors as attention-seeking, only to be later diagnosed with a rare and serious case of spinal tuberculosis.
A Mother's Growing Concern
Megan West first noticed her son, Elliot, developing a strange way of walking in December 2024. The little boy began swinging his hips from side to side, flaring his arms out, and walking with his feet turned unusually outward. Concerned, Megan took Elliot to their GP on multiple occasions over the following months.
She reported not only the odd gait but also that Elliot was failing to gain weight, his legs seemed weak, and he would complain, "my legs don't work." Despite her persistent concerns, medical professionals initially attributed his condition to viral infections. On one visit, a doctor suggested Elliot might be jealous of his baby sister and acting out for attention.
The Shocking Diagnosis
It wasn't until June 2025, after a trip to A&E, that the terrifying truth was uncovered. An X-ray revealed calcified lymph nodes in Elliot's lungs and led to the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis, a bacterial infection affecting the bones of the spine.
This disease, more commonly associated with overcrowded and poorly ventilated living conditions in the Victorian era, is exceptionally rare in modern developed nations like the UK. The infection had formed a mass on Elliot's spine, threatening its stability.
Treatment and Recovery
Elliot's treatment has been intensive. He has undergone surgery and is on a powerful, long-term course of antibiotics to combat the infection. His recovery is slow and restrictive; he is currently limited to walking short distances and spends most of his time at home, unable to participate in the usual activities of other children his age.
Megan revealed that Elliot may require another surgery within the next six months if the TB mass on his spine has not shrunk sufficiently, a fact that will be determined by an upcoming CT scan.
Despite the ordeal and the initial missed diagnosis, Megan says she does not blame the GP, acknowledging that tuberculosis is notoriously difficult to diagnose in children. However, she expresses a wish that her concerns had been listened to more carefully and that Elliot's various symptoms had been viewed as a whole picture sooner.
"Listen to your child and push when you don't feel things are right," Megan urged other parents. "No one knows their child better than yourself. Obviously GPs don't always get it right. Kids don't fake things for too long for attention."
What is Spinal Tuberculosis?
The NHS states that Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body. When it spreads to the bones, such as the spine, it is known as spinal TB or Pott's disease. Symptoms beyond a persistent cough can include:
- Swollen glands
- Body aches and pains
- Swollen joints or ankles
- A stiff neck
- Unexplained weight loss
It is treatable with antibiotics but can cause severe complications, including spinal damage, if left undiagnosed.
