Health · 8 September 2026
Three-year-old Penny died from a hidden heart condition after a cold
Illustration: AI-generated for editorial context. Not photographic evidence.
Penny, from Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, died on July 6 after her heart became enlarged and beat dangerously fast. Doctors think a common cold may have triggered her dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease, and told parents Courtney Sherwood and Tom Dunn they could not have stopped it. Courtney is now urging other parents to trust their instincts if they are worried about their children's health.
Reported by The Sun · How we write briefs