Question NW460 to the Minister of Health

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08 June 2020 - NW460

Profile picture: Van Staden, Mr PA

Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health

(1)With reference to the transfer of baby Edward Erasmus between various hospitals (details furnished), (a) what were the complications during his birth, (b) what was done at the John Daniel Newberry Hospital to stabilise the baby during the complications, (c) why there was no oxygen available at the Dihlabeng Regional Hospital to assist the baby, (d) why did the Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein send the baby to the Intensive Care Unit without informing the parents, (e) why was the life support machine disconnected without the consent of the parents and (f) why did the Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein refuse to provide the postmortem certificate to the parents; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

1. (a) The mother (21 years old) delivered the baby (the mother's third delivery) at Clocolan, JD Newberry District Hospital with a reported history of meconium stained liquor and Apgar score of 5/10 and 6/10 at 1 minute and 5 minutes respectively. The mother arrived un-booked as a result no ultrasound was done antenatally. The baby was preterm estimated gestation age of 34-35 weeks with low birth weight (1,98 kg). In addition the following were found: Dysmorphic features and multiple congenital anomalies, anorectal malformation - imperforate anus, bilateral renal malformation - confirmed by kidney ultrasound, severe respiratory distress - most likely due to lung hypoplasia during pregnancy and upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

(b)-(c) The patient was transferred to the Neonatal ICU at the Dihlabeng Regional Hospital where the baby was put on a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine to assist the baby to breathe. As the baby's respiratory distress worsened the medical officer decided to transfer the patient Universitas Academic Hospital.

(d) The baby's condition was critical and it was transported via air transport, given respiratory support via CPAP. On arrival at Universitas Academic Hospital the baby was admitted to the Neonatal ICU as his condition required life support - at no stage did parents raise the issue of objection to the baby being put on life support.

(e) The baby died while on life support machines and his parents were allowed to hold the baby whilst he was still intubated.

(f) A post-mortem was offered to the parents but they refused.

2. Yes.

END.

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