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Mum's warning after baby loses 'perfect little legs' from common bacterial infection

By Merryn Porter |

Warning: This story contains graphic content.

A NSW mother is raising the alarm after her one-year-old son lost both of his legs last week from complications caused by a common bacterial infection.

Jessica Carnie, a mum of two and beauty therapist from the NSW far west town of Broken Hill, is warning others about the devastating effects of the common bacterial infection ?streptococcal A, after it almost claimed the life of her baby boy Ryan.

She is working with Tiny Hearts Education to warn other parents to look out for signs of Group A streptococcus infection by sharing photos and videos of her son's ordeal, which is far from over as he prepares for more surgery to amputate his fingertips and possibly some fingers.

Watch the video above.?

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Jessica Carnie son Ryan
Jessica Carnie is warning about the dangers of streptococcal A after her son Ryan contracted the disease. (Instagram)

Ryan's fight for life began on December 8 when his parents, Jessica and Sam Lines, rushed him to hospital in Broken Hill before he was flown to the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide.

A post on Tiny Hearts Education's Instagram page on Friday said the first sign anything was wrong was when Ryan developed a high fever.

"He then quickly deteriorated, was lethargic, limp and had a non-blanching rash," the post continued.

"Mum knew these were red flags, knew her baby boy was critically unwell and rushed him to hospital."

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Jessica Carnie son Ryan
Jessica Carnie's son Ryan has been fighting for his life since contracting Group A streptococcus infection. (Instagram)

Unbeknown to his family, Ryan had become infected with Group A streptococcus, a common bacteria found in the throat and skin of many people.

According to the Australian Government's Healthdirect website, Group A streptococcal infections commonly cause sore throats and sometimes a rash as well as infections including scarlet fever, impetigo and cellulitis.

In rare ?cases, the bacteria can invade the blood and cause a severe, life-threatening infection known as invasive group A streptococcal disease, which can result in necrotising fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

This in turn can lead to serious complications that can harm the heart or kidneys, and in some cases can result in clots forming within the body or extremities, requiring amputation.

According to Tiny Hearts Education, in Ryan's case, Group A streptococcus infection quickly turned to septic shock, multiple organ dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Jessica Carnie son Ryan
Ryan has been in hospital for two months. (Instagram)

"Ryan went into cardiac arrest [and] after 10 horrific minutes he was thankfully revived," they wrote.

"Ryan is a little fighter, not ready to leave this world.

"[Friday] he underwent surgery to amputate both of his legs due to the damage the infection caused."

Carnie, who is also mum to an older son, Rory, has been outlining her son's fight for life, which began just one month after his first birthday.

?She began documenting his fight on her Instagram page on December 9, writing, "My beautiful baby boy, we love you so much. We need all the love in the world right now," along with a photo of her holding his hand; his fingers blackened from the infection ravaging his tiny body.

A few days later, she shared another photo of herself and her partner at her son's hospital bed, where he was surrounded by medical equipment.

Then on December 21 she shared a photo of her holding Ryan in her arms.

Jessica Carnie and son Ryan
Jessica Carnie with son Ryan during his recovery. (Instagram)

"After nearly two weeks I finally got to hold my beautiful boy. We still have many big hurdles to come and taking it day by day but today has been one of the best," she wrote.

On January 8 she shared another update to mark one month since Ryan first became ill.

"?It's been over a month since our beautiful boy got sick. For a whole month every day I remember being told, 'I'm really sorry he didn't make it, he went into cardiac arrest and they are doing CPR'.

"A whole month of running out and seeing CPR done on my baby, screaming and begging for them not to stop. This lasted 10 minutes and then I heard the words 'We got him back'.

"Ryan has come such a long way in just a month. Many doctors [are] still amazed that he survived. I still can't believe a simple strep A infection had turned into severe septic shock syndrome.

"We are hoping to have answers and a plan for surgeries next week as we face our next big hurdle."

On January 27 she shared a video and post tracing Ryan's fight for life. "Fifty days we have been living this nightmare. Fifty days so far at the hospital. Three different wards," she wrote.

"Our baby boy has come so far. We are still waiting for surgery dates for Ryan to have his amputations. This next chapter will be a hard one but we know we can get through it with all the love we have around us."

Then just two days ago she shared another video including photos of Ryan before he became sick and a post which began, "The most perfect little hands and feet. Our first surgery is tomorrow. It's going to be such a hard day. Our little boy is such a miracle but the reality is that Ryan was very, very sick after [his] cardiac [arrest] we were told that we could be looking at worst case, where Ryan would have severe brain damage, lose parts of his face and his full legs and hands. Thankfully that's not the case.

Jessica Carnie son Ryan with his older brother shortly before he contracted strep A
Jessica Carnie's son Ryan, right, with older brother Rory, just days before he contracted streptococcal A. (Instagram)

"When you go into severe septic shock so many things happen to your body that I didn't know could happen. Ryan also developed multiple organ dysfunction/failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation, where small blood clots can develop throughout your bloodstream, blocking the blood flow to many parts of your body, including your limbs and your organs.

"Thankfully at this stage most of Ryan's organs have repaired themselves. He struggled with a collapsed lung and also had to have dialysis treatment a few times to help his kidneys.

"Unfortunately, though, as a result of everything our baby boy will be having a few surgeries to hopefully give him the best outcome as possible. He will have surgery to amputate both legs tomorrow (below the knee), which we can't even comprehend. He will be losing all of his fingertips and possibly some fingers.

"The doctors aren't sure if they will leave the fingers as is or do a surgery to help regenerate new cells and skin by sewing Ryan's fingers inside his stomach/groin for a few weeks (yes you read that right). This will hopefully be able to give him more length to his fingers."

She shared a further heartbreaking update on Saturday writing, "One surgery down, one to go. Ryan is recovering from his below-the-knee amputations. Thank you for all the love. We honestly have no words."

Jessica Carnie son Ryan had both legs amputated after contracting streptococcal A
Jessica Carnie's son Ryan had both legs amputated this week after contracting streptococcal A. (Instagram)

Tiny Hearts Education said there had been a rise in Strep A cases recently, resulting in more parents sharing their stories and asking questions.

"Strep A is common and usually mild. It becomes very dangerous when the bacteria invades a part of the body such as the blood, brain or heart, like it did with Ryan," they wrote.

"A fever with associated 'red flags' should set off alarm bells in your head. Look at the number on your thermometer and then assess your child for any critical signs present.

"Being educated about red flags is essential for every parent. The earlier you can identify the signs, the better chance you give your child."

Tiny Hearts said 'red flags' included fever over 38 degrees in a newborn; difficulty breathing; lethargy/difficult to wake, drowsy or unconscious; severe dehydration; bulging fontanelle in a baby; neck stiffness; photosensitivity; pale, blotchy or blue skin; floppy or irritable; high pitched continuous crying; unresolved moderate/severe pain; non-blanching rash; or seizure.

"Thank you to his incredible mum for allowing us to share, especially during such a difficult time. She's been incredibly selfless and wanted to raise awareness and help keep your little ones safe."

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family, who have been in Adelaide for two months, unable to work. It has so far raised more than $80,000 towards supporting the family and helping Ryan after he returns home.

Healthdirect said anyone could develop group A streptococcal disease but most at risk are children under the age of five, people aged 65 and over, people with poor hygiene, those with weakened immune systems or chronic illness, and anyone who spends time in crowded places such as childcare centres and schools.

More information can be found on the Healthdirect website under Group A streptococcal disease.?

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