In July 2023, 10-week-old Levi Martin developed urosepsis after what initially seemed like a mild reaction to vaccinations.
His mum, Isobel, is sharing their story to raise awareness of how fast sepsis can take hold – and to remind other parents that trusting your instincts can save lives.
On the evening of 27th July 2023, Isobel Martin noticed her 10-week-old baby, Levi, was more unsettled than usual. He felt warm, but his temperature didn’t seem concerning – and having recently had his 8-week vaccinations, Isobel assumed it was a delayed reaction. He slept soundly that night, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.
By the following morning, everything had changed.
“Levi was completely inconsolable,” Isobel said. “His temperature was high, and he refused to feed. I knew then that it wasn’t just tiredness – something was really wrong.”
She booked a GP appointment and was thankfully seen early. The doctor took one look at Levi and immediately phoned the Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU), asking them to prepare for his arrival.
“When we arrived, I could see the concern on everyone’s faces,” Isobel said. “Levi had become mottled, his temperature had soared, and his heart rate was 230 beats per minute. Everything moved so fast.”
Doctors began treating Levi immediately – inserting a cannula, connecting him to heart monitors, starting intravenous antibiotics and running tests to determine the source of infection. He also underwent a lumbar puncture to rule out meningitis.
Levi was ultimately diagnosed with urosepsis, a form of sepsis caused by a urinary tract infection. Thankfully, the antibiotics began to work quickly, and he responded well to treatment.
Now nearly two years old, Levi has had regular follow-ups to monitor his kidneys – and so far, there’s no lasting damage or underlying condition that caused the infection.
But for Isobel and her husband Charlie, the fear of what might have happened still lingers.
“We were terrified. We knew something wasn’t right, but as soon as we heard the word sepsis, it hit us how serious this was. I never expected to see my tiny baby so unwell – it was one of the scariest moments of our lives,” said Isobel.
Looking back, Isobel says her instincts told her something was wrong, even when the symptoms didn’t seem severe at first. She now wants to help other parents feel more informed and confident in pushing for answers: “If I could go back, I’d tell myself: trust your gut. You don’t need all the symptoms to take action – one or two red flags is enough. In Levi’s case, I truly believe acting quickly saved his life.”
Isobel also wants to thank the hospital team who treated Levi.
“The urgency and care shown to him from the moment we arrived made all the difference. I will never forget that – it saved his life,” she said.
She hopes that Levi’s story will not only help other families recognise the signs of sepsis but also encourage healthcare professionals to always take parents’ concerns seriously.
Isobel said: “We know our babies better than anyone. Sometimes we sense something is wrong before any obvious symptoms appear. That instinct should never be underestimated.”
