Newborn’s arm amputated after alleged negligence at Khammam MCH Hospital
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Hyderabad: A newborn has lost his left arm after what the family alleges was medical negligence at the government-run Mother and Child Health Centre (MCH) in Khammam.
Parents Renuka and Satyakanth, from Punyapuram village in Wyra mandal, delivered twins at a private hospital in Khammam on 3 March. Renuka, who gave birth at seven months, had one baby weighing about 3 kg and the other a premature infant of just 1.2 kg. Because they could not afford prolonged private care, the smaller twin was transferred to the Khammam MCH, where a relative, Vijayakumari, cared for him.
The baby was placed in an incubator and received blood transfusions. After 18 days Vijayakumari noticed swelling on the infant’s arm and informed hospital staff, who reportedly dismissed the complaint and prescribed an ointment. Three days later the arm began to turn black; a scan then showed gangrene.
On 26 March the child was moved to Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad, where doctors were forced to amputate the left arm.
Dr Narendar, Superintendent of Khammam Government General Hospital, said thrombophlebitis — an inflammatory clot that can block a vein — had occurred during repeated transfusions, cutting off circulation in the limb. He added that when staff recognised the problem they transferred the baby to Hyderabad. Asked about the reported three-day delay, Dr Narendar said records would need to be reviewed and that thrombophlebitis is often treated with ointment and rest, but spoke of the need to clarify the team’s actions.