Inquest Probes Tragic Death of Newborn Baby
An inquest is currently examining the circumstances surrounding the death of a baby boy who passed away just days after being delivered by an emergency caesarean section at a Staffordshire hospital.
George Dosanjh was born prematurely at 34 weeks and died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on December 3, 2022. His mother, Charlotte Hird from Stafford, had gone into labour early. Due to complications that arose during the delivery, medical staff made the decision to perform an emergency c-section.
Medical Complications and Heartbreak
Following his birth, George was immediately transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit. Despite the best efforts of the hospital staff, they were unable to save him.
A written statement from Charlotte Hird was read aloud during the proceedings at County Buildings in Stafford. In it, she expressed her profound confusion over how her son, who had seemed 'happy and healthy', could have died. She also shared the heartbreak of not being able to hold her son as he was placed in an incubator.
Pathologist's Report on Cause of Death
Pathologist Dr Jo McPartland provided the medical cause of George's death. She stated he died from multiple organ failure and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.
Dr McPartland explained that these conditions resulted from a placental abruption and fetal head impaction. This meant George had become separated from the placenta and was not receiving oxygen until the emergency c-section was performed.
A post-mortem examination did reveal that George had suffered fractures to his skull and other bones. However, these injuries were not considered to be the cause of his death.
Adding to the testimony, Dr Danielle O'Neill, the senior registrar in the delivery suite, described it as a particularly challenging delivery that necessitated an additional incision. The inquest continues to hear evidence.
