18-month-old-dies-after-anaesthesia-during-lip-treatment

An 18-month-old boy died in Kerala's Kannur district after allegedly developing severe complications following the administration of anaesthesia for a minor procedure to treat a lip injury, prompting police to register a case against the attending anaesthetist.

 

The toddler, who was his parents' only child and born nearly eight years after their marriage, died at a private hospital on Friday after remaining in critical condition for five days.

 

According to police and family members, the child sustained a cut on his lip while playing at home on July 5. He was taken to Baby Memorial Hospital in Payyannur, where doctors decided to suture the wound under anaesthesia.

 

The family alleged that the child's condition deteriorated immediately after the anaesthesia was administered and that he never regained consciousness. As his health worsened, he was shifted to the hospital's Kannur unit for advanced treatment, where he died on Friday night.

Also read: Doctor-turned BJP MLA slams govt for mismatched health services

Based on a complaint filed by the family, police registered an FIR against the anaesthetist under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with acts endangering human life or personal safety. The offence carries a maximum punishment of three months' imprisonment. An investigation is underway.

 

The hospital, however, denied allegations of medical negligence. In a statement, the management said the child suffered an unexpected cardiac arrest immediately after receiving anaesthesia despite the medication being administered in the appropriate dosage.

 

According to the hospital, doctors immediately placed the child on ventilator support before transferring him to the Kannur facility for intensive care. It maintained that all possible measures were taken to save the boy's life and noted that rare complications can occur following anaesthesia even when standard medical protocols are followed.

 

The incident has sparked grief and outrage, with the child's family seeking accountability while investigators examine whether any medical negligence contributed to the toddler's death.