A toddler who was fed a predominantly cow’s milk-based diet after struggling to eat enough solid food died from severe anaemia, an inquest has heard. Anaya Khaanan was 21 months old when she died at the Royal Blackburn Hospital on July 22 last year. The daughter of Mian Abdul Khaanan and Aneela Ikram, from Burnley, Lancashire, had developed anaemia after she had been “offered solid foods but was unable to consume sufficient oral intake to meet her iron needs”. On the evening of July 21,
Anaya’s condition deteriorated and she was taken to hospital. Doctors decided she required a blood transfusion, but she died before it could be carried out. An inquest into Anaya’s death was held at Preston Coroners’ Court before Area Coroner Kate Bisset on Tuesday. It heard that Anaya had been born in Pakistan. The cause of death was recorded as severe anaemia caused by a milk-based diet, Lancashire Live reports. The coroner returned a narrative conclusion and said: “Anaya Khaanan died on the 22nd July 2025
at the Royal Blackburn Hospital as a consequence of severe anaemia caused by a predominantly milk-based diet. “Anaya was offered solid foods but was unable to consume sufficient oral intake to meet her iron needs, particularly when she became tired as her anaemia progressed. “Anaya had been seen by the GP who ordered blood tests to take place and she was also seen at the urgent treatment centre on the 10th July 2025. At that time, a diagnosis was made of urinary tract infection and
no blood tests were undertaken as they were not clinically indicated by her presentation on that date. “Anaya became more unwell overnight between the 21st and 22nd July 2025 and was taken to hospital where plans was instigated for a blood transfusion to take place. Anaya deteriorated and died prior to the transfusion taking place.”
Anaya Khaanan, severe anaemia, milk-based diet, Royal Blackburn Hospital, Preston Coroners' Court, Kate Bisset, blood transfusion, urinary tract infection
Why were they still doing milk as the main thing like that? That seems preventable.
This is so sad. But also like… how did they not do blood tests earlier? If it was UTI then sure, but couldn’t they’ve just checked anyway? The part about dying before the transfusion is heartbreaking.
I saw another post about this and I thought it said the kid was on formula, not cow’s milk. Either way, I feel like people judge parents way too fast. Like maybe she couldn’t eat solids because of something else? The inquest wording is confusing to me.
Idk why they didn’t just give more iron or skip straight to transfusion sooner. Also “predominantly milk-based diet” sounds like breastfeeding to me? Like is it even the milk or is it the fact she had a UTI that made her weak? Seems like there’s missing steps here, and someone’s gonna say it was “just clinical” but come on.