In the United States, a 2-year-old boy died of a potassium overdose after a doctor "forgot" a decimal point in his prescription, resulting in an injection ten times higher than intended.

A "tragic" and "preventable" death, according to the family's lawyer. In the United States, a mother filed a lawsuit in early November against a Florida hospital after the death of her 2-year-old son from a drug overdose, reports the New York Post. The events date back to early March 2024, when he was hospitalized after contracting a virus.

Tests showed he was severely emaciated and had abnormally low potassium levels. After being transferred to another hospital, the boy received intravenous treatment to correct his deficiencies. But on the second day, a doctor reportedly "forgot" a comma when rewriting the young patient's potassium prescription.

"This could have been completely avoided."

Instead of the 1.5 mmol calculated based on his height, weight, and health status, the boy received 15 mmol of potassium… twice. The overdose caused cardiac arrest, and it took medical personnel about 20 minutes to successfully place him on a ventilator. He was resuscitated, but his condition subsequently deteriorated again, with several vital organs severely damaged. After two weeks in intensive care, the ventilator keeping him alive was removed.

The child's mother is now seeking $50,000 in damages for her son's suffering and death, as well as for the "gross negligence" of the caregivers and the hospital during his treatment. "No parent should ever lose their child like this," her lawyer stated. "What this family has endured is unimaginable, and the worst part is that it could have been entirely avoided."