A PREGNANT woman who was taken to hospital with an abscess on her left leg died when it turned septic, an inquest heard.

Leanne Rawcliffe, 33, from Burnley, was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital in October with a ‘large swelling’ on her groin.

The inquest at the Blackburn Enterprise Centre heard she was an intravenous drug user.

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Doctors discovered Miss Rawcliffe, of Leyland Road, was approximately 22 weeks pregnant but could not detect the baby’s heartbeat.

Doctors decided to carry out an emergency caesarean section so they could scan her abdomen.

A CT scan showed the swelling on her leg had turned septic and spread into her lower abdomen, the inquest heard.

Despite administering antibiotics and attempts to remove the infection, her condition deteriorated and on November 10, she suffered a cardiac arrest and doctors decided not to resuscitate.

Dr Deepa Jacob, a consultant at the hospital who carried out a post mortem examination, said there were signs the infection had spread from her leg to her intestines and she had developed hepatitis.

She said: “All this stems from the fact that this lady was a drug user.

“This is where hepatitis and everything came from.

“That caused the abscess and the infection which caused the perforation of her bowels.”

Coroner Michael Singleton said the medical cause of death was peritonitis and sepsis, perforation of the abdominal wall, intravenous drug use and hepatitis C.

He said: “I conclude this was misadventure, the unfortunate consequence of a deliberate act.

“It seems to me this was not a drugs-related death.

“It was not the drugs that caused the problem, it was the way the drug was taken.

“She used the needle for drug use but not to cause an abscess.

“I offer my sincere condolences to the family.

“I never make judgement as I have never walked in their shoes and do not know what problems they have. I believe she was much loved and she will be much missed.”