Warning shortage of pathologists could put families at risk

That is the warning from a coroner after an inquest into the death of an eleven-year-old boy who was discovered to have a genetic mutation that could run in his family.

The siblings of Tyler Ryan will be tested after their brother was found to have a mutation believed to have caused a heart condition that led to him suddenly dying.

Read more: 'Happy' County Durham boy who died suddenly had unique genetic mutation

But an initial pathologist’s report into his death took ten months to be delivered and missed the genetic mutation giving a different cause of death.

It was only when a molecular test, which could soon be ruled out in all sudden child death post mortems, was used that the genetic mutation was found.

For his family finding out about the mutation, potentially passed from his father, means he and Tyler’s siblings can be tested to eliminate any risk if they have the same heart condition his mutation caused.

Assistant Coroner for Newcastle and North Tyneside Carly Henley said she was “concerned about delays” and the impact they could have on family members of those with “undiagnosed genetic conditions”.

She will now file a 'prevention of future deaths report' which are only filed when a coroner fears lives could be at risk and changes could be made to prevent this from happening.

She asked paediatric pathologist Dr Annavarapu why it had taken him until December 2021, ten months after Tyler’s death, to file a post mortem report.

Dr Annavarapu explained he was the only paediatric pathologist for the North East for 11 years until he left the role in January 2022 and that it still has not been filled.

He added some families end up waiting two years for reports to be filed.

Professor Marta Cohen, who was brought in to review the case, described a “crisis” in the number of pathologists in the country.

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Pathologists currently have to travel into the area to carry out examinations.

Miss Henley said “systematic” issues were causing the delays.

She said she will file a prevention of future death report with the Senior Coroner which will be addressed to the minister for health and NHS England, who she believes can take action to solve the issue.

She added: “As a consequence of this investigation and inquest [the] family can now be tested and I encourage that testing to take place without further delay.”