A coroner has concluded that a 21-month-old toddler died from severe anaemia after being fed a diet consisting predominantly of cow's milk, with insufficient solid food intake to meet her iron requirements.
Details of the Case
Anaya Khaanan, daughter of Mian Abdul Khaanan and Aneela Ikram of Redvers Street in Burnley, died at the Royal Blackburn Hospital on July 22, 2025. She had been born in Pakistan and had developed anaemia because she was offered solid foods but could not consume enough to meet her iron needs, particularly as her condition worsened and she became tired.
On the evening of July 21, Anaya's condition deteriorated, and she was taken to hospital. Doctors decided she required a blood transfusion, but she died before it could be carried out.
Inquest Findings
An inquest held at Preston Coroners' Court on June 16, 2026, before Area Coroner Kate Bisset, recorded the cause of death as severe anaemia caused by a milk-based diet. The coroner returned a narrative conclusion, stating: "Anaya Khaanan died on the 22nd July 2025 at the Royal Blackburn hospital as a consequence of severe anaemia caused by a predominantly milk based diet. Anaya was offered solid foods but was unable to consume sufficient oral intake to meet her iron needs, particularly when she became tired as her anaemia progressed."
Medical History
The court heard that Anaya had been seen by a GP who ordered blood tests, and she was also seen at an urgent treatment centre on July 10, 2025. At that time, a diagnosis of urinary tract infection was made, but no blood tests were undertaken as they were not clinically indicated by her presentation. Anaya became more unwell overnight between July 21 and 22, leading to her hospital admission and subsequent death before the planned transfusion.
