A woman has lodged a complaint against the doctors who treated her during pregnancy after her newborn was diagnosed with severe abnormalities. Four doctors, including gynecologists Dr. Shirley and Dr. Pushpa from Kadappuram Women and Children’s Hospital, and two doctors from private labs, have been charged in the case.
The newborn was found to have severe deformities: an irregularly shaped face, inability to open the mouth, misplaced eyes, a hole in the heart, genital abnormalities, bent limbs, hearing loss, and misplaced ears. The baby’s tongue retracts when laid down. These abnormalities were only discovered after birth. Despite regular prenatal scans, these issues were not detected, which the family alleges was due to negligence.
The complaint, filed by the mother, a 34-year-old Alappuzha native, claims that repeated scans during her pregnancy at Kadappuram Women and Children’s Hospital failed to identify the abnormalities. The delivery was performed at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital. The health department has initiated inspections of the two labs where the scans were conducted, assessing the efficiency of the equipment and the involvement of the doctors who prepared the reports.
The Alappuzha DYSP is overseeing the investigation, and a medical board will be constituted for further inquiry. The board will include the DMO, gynecologists, and pediatric specialists. The police have registered a case against the four doctors, but since medical expertise is critical, the medical board will assist in the investigation.
