Neonate’s death sparks row at G B Panth hospital
Srinagar: An infant undergoing treatment at the G B Panth government hospital Sonwar here was allegedly burnt to death due to the negligence of the hospital staff, leading to an outcry.
The hospital, which is being accused of negligence, however, has, ruled out so and said that the infant was suffering from a terminal condition known as Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC).
The family, after the baby died, demanded the matter to be investigated and complained to the local police that due to the alleged negligent attitude of the doctors and paramedical staff, the baby had suffered burn marks and subsequently died.
“The hospital staff left the baby unattended during the night when the heating blower was close to her, exposure to which resulted in serious burns to her lower limbs,” the family said.
The doctors, however, ruled out any kind of negligence and said that there is no question of death caused due to heating-blower, which, as per the family, is said to have inflicted burn marks on the baby leading to death.
“There is no question of death caused due to burns, the baby was suffering from DIC and such marks that are visible in the pictures are common in such a condition,” said a pediatrician.
Another doctor, while ruling out negligence and the blower-being linked to the death of the baby said, “These are not burn marks, it is rather a condition known as Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which leads to the formation of blood clots in vessels throughout the body.”
“It is a life threatening condition, can cause mortality in up to 50 % of cases,” he added.
The medical records, under MRD number 16804, the copy of which is lying with ‘Kashmir Vision’, state that the baby was admitted in Neonatal intensive care unit NICU on 1 February.
“The child died on 3 Feb due to perinatal asphyxia, meconium stained amniotic fluid, respiratory failure with right-sided pneumothorax with refractory shock and DIC.”
The doctors at the GB Panth also said that the change skin color on right arm and left leg is all due to DIC. They also said that an internal inquiry has been initiated after the complaint was filed by the attendants of the baby.
While referring to the maintenance of temperature at NICU, they said that the NICO is a place where “temperature of around 30 degree C is maintained by ACs.”
On the other side of the story, the family of the deceased said that the baby had received serious burns in lower limbs as hospital staff didn’t look after the baby in the critical area during the night and on the subsequent day, February 3 the infant breathed her last.
While saying that there is no question of any heating gadget to be present in the ICU, apart from the over-all heating system and the heat of the incubator, three doctors, who talked to this reporter said: “The ICU is always warmer; in addition to that, the incubator maintains the body temperature, so such a question does not even arise.”
“Let’s assume for a minute that the heat in the incubator led to the burn marks, if that was right, the baby would have sustained burns on the entire body, but you see the picture, the situation is entirely different, it is a typical case of DIC,” the pediatrician said.
As per American Centre for Cancer Care and Blood Disorders, the signs and symptoms of DIC are: Pain, redness, warmth, and “swelling in the lower leg if blood clots form in the deep veins of the leg.”
The Centre also states that the external bleeding can occur underneath or from the skin, “such as at the site of cuts or an intravenous (IV) needle. External bleeding also can occur from the mucosa. (The mucosa is the tissue that lines some organs and body cavities, such as nose and mouth.).”
“External bleeding may cause purpura or petechiae. Purpura are purple, brown, and red bruises. This bruising may happen easily and often. Petechiae are small red or purple dots on your skin,” the signs and symptoms read.
Pertinently, the baby’s father Ajaz Ahmad Wani said that the baby was admitted on February 1 after it was referred from Noora Hospital for specialized treatment. The family belongs to Kreeri area of Baramulla district.
Meanwhile, later in the evening, the Principal GMC Srinagar, Dr Samia Rashid in a factual report that was sought by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir said: “The baby was managed in GB Panth Hospital and shifted to NICU where the baby was put on ventilator. There is no blower etc. because the ambient temperature is maintained by means of baby warmers and AC’s with 24*7 round the clock specialists available in the ward. The 2nd baby on the same warmer is doing well despite the fact that he is ventilator,” it said.
“However, the Medical Superintendent promptly constituted an inquiry committee to look into the allegations of the attendants report of which is awaited for the satisfaction of the attendants,” it added.
Irfan Tramboo
