New baby suffered multiple organ failure - inquest

George Dosanjh died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on 3 December 2022, just a few days after being born prematurely

A premature baby died within days of birth when he suffered multiple organ failure following complications during an emergency Caesarean, an inquest heard.

George Dosanjh died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent on 3 December 2022, the hearing in Staffordshire was told.

His mum, Charlotte Hird, from Stafford, had gone into labour at 34 weeks, and medics decided to carry out the procedure because of difficulties she had during labour.

Following his birth, George was taken immediately to the neonatal intensive care unit, but staff said there was nothing they could do to save him, with Ms Hird never being able to touch him, the inquest heard.

In a written statement from Ms Hird, she said she could not understand how he had died, as he "seemed to be happy and healthy".

She also expressed her sadness at being unable to hold her son because he was placed straight into an incubator.

'Very difficult delivery'

Pathologist Dr Jo McPartland gave George's medical cause of death as ultimately multiple organ failure.

However, Dr McPartland told the hearing he had suffered hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy - a lack of oxygen and blood during birth.

This was caused because of placental abruption, where the placenta becomes detached from the womb, and fetal head impaction, which involves a baby's head becoming lodged deep in their mother's pelvis during a caesarean birth.

A post-mortem examination revealed that George had also suffered fractures to his skull and other bones, but these were not considered to have been the cause of his death.

Dr Danielle O'Neill, who was the senior registrar in the delivery suite, told the inquest it had been a very difficult delivery that had required more incisions than normal.

The inquest, at County Buildings in Stafford, continues.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.