Parents of boy who had rare blood poisoning call for more awareness of disease that killed him

A mother and father whose son died suddenly after being admitted to hospital with suspected constipation say they still want answers as to what happened.

Jack Dunn was 17 when he died from ketoacidosis - a form of blood poisoning.

"He was going to be a phenominal young man, he really was", his father Kieron Dunn said.

"He knew what he wanted out of life, where he was going and how to get there."

After suffering from severe pain Jack was taken to hospital.

He was diagnoses with suspected appendicitis, but test results were inconclusive. Appendicitis was suspected, but tests were inconclusive.

But, that evening, his father discovered Jack in his bed. He had died.

Tests after his death revealed he died of ketoacidosis - a build up of harmful 'ketones' in the blood - which are produced by the liver.

It is most commonly associated with type 1 diabetics, but previous blood tests showed he did not have the condition.

Now, his parents want more awareness of the dangers of ketoacidosis.

"It can happen so quick", his mother Claire said.

"If a doctor does a blood test on somebody that's in hospital all he has to do is ask for the ketones to be checked at the same time as the white and red blood cell count and that could save someone's life", Kieron added.

Cwm Taf Health Board said it cannot discuss individual cases but says it is saddened by this tragic death. It added if the family wishes to meet with the health board, they can contact it directly.