DOCTORS battling to save a baby's life may have accidentally dislodged a breathing tube that was keeping him alive.
But they have been cleared of negligence by a Health Ministry inquiry, which was launched after the infant's parents accused hospital staff of causing his death.
Three-month-old Ali Ramadhan died on November 17, 10 days after he was admitted to Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) suffering from breathing problems.
"All the doctors, nurses and allied staff involved with the treatment of the baby since he was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department on November 7 have been minutely questioned and an investigating committee has found no evidence that they had been negligent," a Health Ministry spokesman told the GDN yesterday.
"It is likely, however, that a tube inserted into the lungs of Ali to assist breathing had been displaced when he was being administered Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) shortly before he died, but this cannot be established."
The spokesman said Ali had contracted the deadly Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which can be fatal in babies born prematurely.
He was delivered on July 23, just 27 weeks into his mother's pregnancy, and remained in hospital for 88 days before his parents were allowed to take him home. He weighed 910 grams at birth, but had grown to 2.1 kilograms by the time he was discharged and was considered to be stable.
"Ali was brought in with breathing difficulties on November 7 and treated after being admitted to the resuscitation room," the spokesman added.
"He was examined by the paediatrician on call, who concluded that his was not a case fit for PICU at that time. He was also diagnosed with RSV."
The spokesman said later, when his condition deteriorated, Ali was transferred to PICU where he died due to multiple organ failure. He added RSV was a major cause of respiratory illness in young children.
"It causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages," he explained.
"While in adults it may only produce symptoms of a common cold - such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, mild headache, cough, fever and a general feeling of being ill.
"RSV infections can lead to other more serious illnesses in premature babies and kids with diseases that affect the lungs, heart or immune system and can be fatal."
An investigation was ordered after Ali's mother, Amina Al Tattan, claimed SMC doctors had "misdiagnosed" her son and accused PICU staff of being "careless" in treating him.
However, the Health Ministry spokesman said no action would be taken against any of its staff.
"All files and records have been closely examined," he added.
mandeep@gdn.com.bh
