In a heart-wrenching case, the chaotic environment of an understaffed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) had tragic consequences. A four-week-old baby named Lakshith Guptha Nalla died after being deprived of food for hours at the University Hospital of Wales. An inquest revealed a critical lapse on May 11, 2024, when nurse Pasqualina Mollo, due to overwhelming duties, failed to properly fit the baby’s feeding tube.
The court heard from consultant paediatrician Dr Kanaga Raj Sinnathuray, who explained how four hours without nourishment significantly weakened baby Nalla’s ability to combat a severe infection that ultimately led to sepsis. Sadly, sepsis can develop swiftly, with premature babies having just a 25-30% chance of survival.
On that fateful day, the ward’s shortage of staff prompted a rush among responsibilities. Baby Nalla’s feeding tube was disconnected for cuddles with his parents, but the tube was not refitted in time due to a lack of available feeding lines. They were fetched from another ward, causing further delays. When the tube was finally reattached, it wasn’t correctly fitted, and precious feed leaked, leaving baby Nalla malnourished and vulnerable to infection.
As the situation unravelled, signs of distress went unnoticed until it was too late. By 6pm, the doctors’ intervention came, but despite efforts to stabilise his blood sugar with IV fluids, the baby’s reserves were exhausted. The case highlights the critical importance of adequate staffing and proper equipment in neonatal care settings to prevent such tragedies.
The ongoing inquest underscores the need for systemic changes and accountability in healthcare to avert future incidents and ensure young, vulnerable lives are protected. This heartbreaking case serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in neonatal care and the devastating impact of medical oversights.