Newborn with Severe deformities: Kerala Govt says 4 doctors not at fault
Medical Council
Thiruvananthapuram: Four doctors who were booked in a medical negligence case for allegedly failing to detect fetal abnormalities during prenatal care of a pregnant woman—leading to severe internal and external deformities in her newborn baby—have been cleared of all charges following an investigation by the Kerala Health Department.
These four accused doctors included two female doctors from the Kadappuram Government Women and Child Hospital in Alappuzha and two doctors from private diagnostic labs.
A few days ago, the Kerala Health Department launched an investigation into the birth of a baby with severe deformities. A report of the investigation was recently submitted to Health Minister Veena George which revealed that the doctors could not have detected the disability during the initial pregnancy scan performed on the mother.
Also read- 4 doctors booked for alleged failure to diagnose genetic disorders before baby's birth
However, the report indicated that the doctors could have informed the mother and her family about the possible risks. Accordingly, the report recommends the creation of a medical board responsible for overseeing the child's treatment and care, Manthrubhumi reports.
This comes after the parents of the newborn filed a complaint against these four doctors. The couple accused them of failing to detect the fetus's abnormalities before birth despite multiple ultrasounds during her pregnancy.
Medical Dialogues had reported that the incident took place at a hospital in Alappuzha, where the baby was born with severe deformities. The parents of the newborn alleged that the doctors failed to detect or disclose the genetic abnormalities during prenatal scans, instead assuring them that the reports were normal. The couple also claimed that they were shown the baby only four days after delivery.
The FIR stated that Surumi, 35, was undergoing treatment for her third pregnancy at Kadappuram Women and Child Hospital. On October 30, Surumi was admitted for delivery. However, the FIR said that she was referred to Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) in Vandanam, Alappuzha, citing the absence of fetal movement and heartbeat.
On November 8, the baby was delivered following surgery at MCH and was found to have severe internal and external deformities, including facial abnormalities, a heart defect, non-functional and misaligned eyes and ears, limb deformities, and an inability to open its mouth.
Meanwhile, one of the accused doctors, responding to the allegations, said she had treated Surumi only during the initial months of her pregnancy. However, the doctors associated with the diagnostic labs maintained that there were no errors in the scan reports.
Defending the doctors here, the investigation report submitted by Dr. V. Meenakshi, Additional Director of the Health Department revealed that the disability could not have been detected in the initial anomaly scan. However, it notes a critical communication failure.
"Doctors did not adequately inform the mother and her family about the possible risks, including excess fluid and the potential for defects. A warning to doctors is necessary regarding this matter," mentioned the report, reported by Mathrubhumi.
The report highlights that while some minor defects might not be visible in scans, serious issues related to the spine or limbs can often be detected. It also stresses the importance of clearer communication with expectant parents about potential risks. It also notes concerns regarding the reliance on external scanning centres, some of which have been found lacking in proper patient documentation and comprehensive examination procedures.
