A mother has made a heartfelt plea for parents to be aware of the warning signs of sepsis after she found her newborn unresponsive.

Kayleigh Jones’ first son, Dexter, was born on November 18 but was rushed into hospital just six days later when his mum was unable to rouse him from a nap.

“He was cold and blue. I was so scared,” the 27-year-old mother of four explained. “When we saw the doctor they told me to ring 999 immediately.

“I was told any longer and I could have lost him.”

Sepsis is a life-threatening illness which occurs as a reaction to infection. It causes an overdrive of the immune system, and can lead to blood clotting, organ failure or even death.

Dexter was taken to Evelina Children’s Hospital in London.

Thankfully, he was well enough to go back home to East Malling two weeks later.

"My beautiful son fell asleep as newborns do, but then I couldn’t wake him" - Kayleigh Jones

Now his mum is hoping to make other parents aware of the possible horror of sepsis.

“I had heard of it but I was never aware of the severity of it until now.

“My beautiful son fell asleep as newborns do, but then I couldn’t wake him,” the Shaftesbury Close resident said.

She had questioned why Dexter had gone off his milk but was told he was developing a cold and that could happen. Now she knows that was the first warning sign.

She said: “If you suspect sepsis, please don’t second guess or do what I did and think someone else could use an ambulance more – just call them.”

The 27-year-old’s plea comes just a week after Public Health England launched a campaign to help parents spot the signs.

The UK Sepsis Trust estimates there are more than 120,000 cases among adults and children each year in England, and about 37,000 deaths as a result.

The NHS has also introduced measures to make sure patients at risk are screened for sepsis as quickly as possible and receive treatment quickly if admitted to hospital.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Sepsis is a devastating condition that we need to get far better at spotting across the NHS.

“By raising awareness and improving clinical practice, we will save lives in the fight against this horrible illness.

“I’d like to thank those who have worked with us to campaign for better awareness of sepsis, including families who have lost children.”