Mum of toddler in coma issues update | World | News
14-month-old Dustin fell into a coma (Image: GoFundMe)
The family of the little boy who fell into a coma after inhaling cake decorating powder shared a positive development about his recovery.
A 14-month-old boy is fighting for his life after inhaling an ingredient commonly used in decorating cakes and desserts. Katie Robinson, a professional baker living in Australia, was creating a Bluey-themed birthday cake for a friend’s son when her own child grabbed a bowl full of gold decorating powder.
Little Dustin underwent emergency surgery at the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, to remove decorative glitter dust that had hardened into a paste in his lungs.
Katie has since confirmed the Gold Coast teenager is now breathing independently as she continues to recover from the ordeal.
“Dusty’s breathing tube has been removed and he now has a high flow of oxygen through his nose tips,” he wrote in an update to those who donated to support the family via GoFundMe.
Dustin fell into a coma (Image: Jam Press/GoFundMe)
“His medication has been reduced but he is still drowsy. Doctors are pleased with his progress but are still unsure if there will be any permanent effects on the lungs.”
More than 1,000 people have contributed to the family through the platform.
“Thank you so much for the incredible love and support you have shown Dusty and his family!” Promoter Rochelle Evrard, a longtime customer of Katie’s for whom she was baking the Bluey cake at the time of the accident, wrote in a post on Friday.
“We have well and truly exceeded the community’s expectations. Not only have we been flooded with monetary donations, but our inboxes have also been flooded with offers of support, assistance and accommodations.”
The young boy was being supervised in his home studio while his mother was putting the finishing touches on the cake. He appears to have downed a tube of glitter powder before starting to choke.
“In seconds [he] “He took the lid off with his teeth and inhaled and swallowed at the same time,” Katie told an Australian news site earlier this week.
“He was just suffocating and upset, and it was obvious he was starting to have trouble breathing.”
Dustin’s parents, Katie and Chris, began first aid while contacting emergency services.
Katie, Chris, Dustin and the rest of the family photographed in happier times (Image: GoFundMe)
“By the time the ambulance got there, he wasn’t breathing well. He was grunting, really low-pitched grunting, and then he was trying to take a quick, sharp breath,” Katie added.
“His body was shaking, his eyes were rolling and he was becoming unresponsive. I was trying to slap his cheeks and shout his name, but he wouldn’t open his eyes. So [it] “It was really scary at that moment.”
Dustin needed surgery to “clear his lungs” using a saline solution. Medical experts later determined that the powder contained copper.
Copper has the capacity to trigger respiratory distress, severe lung damage, and even long-term chronic damage when ingested.
“This is not a product you would expect to have anywhere near anything food related,” Katie said.
“All the doctors said this was a very rare case… they hadn’t seen this before. So it was a difficult situation for everyone.”
The powder is labeled for use on the decorative parts of the cake.
