Leila Benyounes Acts for Family in Tragic Baby Death Inquest

Baby E was a five-week-old baby who tragically died from complications of a congenital heart defect which had not been detected until after she had died.

Baby E’s mother is an insulin dependant type 1 diabetic which is known to increase the risk of a congenital heart defect. Her mother’s identical twin sister also has a congenital heart defect. The heart defect had not been suspected or identified at Baby E’s anomaly scan and fetal echocardiography had not been performed during the pregnancy.

Baby E was admitted to the neonatal unit for 8 days following birth and for suspected infection and required respiratory support. She did not undergo an echocardiogram in life which would, on the balance of probabilities, have identified the heart defect and would have resulted in different management.

Following discharge from hospital, Baby E was seen by various health professionals including GPs on three occasions, a midwife and a health visitor. Her parents had concerns about symptoms of a cough, reduced feeding and vomiting after feeds.

Baby E’s parents became increasingly concerned and she was taken to hospital where she was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, received oxygen, but suddenly stopped breathing and tragically could not be resuscitated.

A post mortem examination found that Baby E had a genetic cardiac defect which had led to her death. It was held that earlier identification of the defect would have meant that she probably would not have died when she did.

The Coroner issued a Regulation 28 Prevention of Future Deaths Report following the conclusion of the inquest due to concerns about the importance of early identification of congenital cardiac defects because of the risks they present.

Leila was instructed by Rebecca Dawson at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors.

Leila Benyounes is Head of the Inquests Team at Parklane Plowden Chambers and is ranked as Band 1 by Legal 500 for Inquests and Inquiries. Leila has been appointed to the Attorney General’s Treasury Counsel Panel A since 2010. Leila is appointed as an Assistant Coroner in two coronial areas. Leila regularly represents interested persons in a wide range of inquests including Article 2 jury inquests and complex medical matters.  Her full profile can be accessed here.