Srinagar, Aug 15 (KNO): The family of a 16-month-old child who died at Government Children’s Hospital, Bemina, Srinagar, has alleged medical negligence, even as the hospital administration has rejected what it described as incomplete accounts circulating on social media. It has ordered an in-house enquiry to establish the facts surrounding the death.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the child, from north Kashmir's Bandipora district, died in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of the hospital on August 14. The family has alleged that delays in conducting important diagnostic investigations and an alleged delay in recognising the seriousness of the child’s condition contributed to the deterioration and eventual death.
However, a detailed clarification issued by hospital authorities has presented a different account of the clinical sequence, stating that the child was brought to the hospital with a serious acute illness and subsequently developed convulsions, cardiac dysfunction and hemodynamic instability despite treatment.
According to the paediatrics department, the child presented with fever accompanied by seizures, lethargy, restlessness, sore throat and swelling involving the face and neck. The department said the child was clinically evaluated and appropriate investigations were undertaken during treatment.
The hospital said the child subsequently developed active convulsions, which were managed with anticonvulsant therapy.
An echocardiography examination, according to the hospital, showed mild left ventricular dysfunction with an estimated left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of around 50 per cent.
The department said that as the child’s clinical condition worsened and he developed hemodynamic instability, the treating team proceeded with advanced supportive measures, including intubation, mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support.
“Despite active and appropriate resuscitative and supportive measures, the child's condition continued to deteriorate,” the hospital said, adding that the child could not be revived and was declared dead at 8:25 PM on August 14.
The treating doctors had considered several serious clinical possibilities, including meningoencephalitis, atypical febrile seizure and shock, the hospital said, adding that the final cause of death would be determined on the basis of the complete clinical assessment and available investigations.
The family alleged that the child’s condition had been deteriorating for days and questioned the alleged delay in conducting investigations after the child was admitted to the hospital.
According to family members, the child was initially brought to the hospital around two days before his death after developing a throat-related health problem. They alleged that after an initial assessment, the child was administered an injection and prescribed medicines, with the family being told that his condition would improve.
The relatives claimed that instead of recovering, the child’s condition worsened and that when he was brought back to the hospital the following day, similar treatment was provided before they were advised to return.
The Medical Superintendent (MS) of the hospital has asked the Head of the Department of Paediatrics to conduct an in-house enquiry into the death.
In a communication, the MS referred to the social media video in which allegations of negligence had been levelled against doctors and asked the department to ascertain the facts of the case, including the treatment provided and circumstances leading to the child’s death.
The enquiry committee has been asked to submit its report, along with specific findings and recommendations, within four working days of receiving the communication.
The hospital also reiterated its commitment to providing timely, evidence-based and appropriate care to patients—(KNO)