Doctor admits failings over SA boy's death

A doctor has admitted he should have referred an unwell toddler to hospital after detecting a heart murmur days before the boy's death.

South Australian State Coroner Mark Johns has opened an inquest into the July 2013 death of the 20-month-old, whose name has not been published for cultural reasons.

An autopsy identified the cause of death as myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart often caused by viral infection.

The boy's mother told the inquest on Wednesday her son was wheezing, clinging to her and did not want to walk or play when she took him to see GP Bailey Williams on July 7.

He was diagnosed with a viral infection and prescribed liquid antibiotics but his condition worsened in the days following.

"He was just flat," Ms Milera said.

"It was out of character for him. Everything just seemed like it got worse.

"You know your child. There was just something wrong. He wasn't getting any better."

When Dr Williams examined the boy again on July 10, he detected a heart murmur but decided not to investigate it until his health improved.

The boy fell unconscious at home on July 12 and later died in hospital.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Naomi Kereru, said a medical expert would tell the inquest the boy's GP should have sent him to hospital for further investigation.

Dr Williams on Wednesday expressed sympathy for the boy's family and told the inquest he accepted the criticism.

"With the benefit of hindsight ... I can't disagree with the validity of his comments," he said.

"When I heard the news I was deeply shocked. It was disbelief, really.

"I got to know this little boy very, very well indeed, so it really cuts quite deep."

Dr Williams claimed he instructed Ms Milera to take the boy to hospital if his condition worsened, a version of events disputed by the boy's family.

Ms Kereru said another expert would give evidence a diagnosis of myocarditis would likely have been made if the boy had gone to hospital on July 10.