Family of baby who died two days after birth secure €60,000 settlement against HSE

Baby Aodhgan Dolan was found collapsed when he was two days old, the court was told.

Esther Earley BL, instructed by Caoimhe Haughey solicitor, for the family, said it was their case the baby suffered from a metabolic genetic condition MCADD and this was allegedly not picked up by the hospital.

The condition can lead to a drop in the level of sugar in the blood.

Liability in the case was very difficult, counsel said, and the €60,000 settlement was reached after mediation.

The settlement is without an admission of liability.

The baby’s mother, Maria Dolan of Tullyvogey, Tydavnet, Co Monaghan had sued the HSE over the care given to Aodhgan.

Speaking to the Irish Independent she said following a recommendation at inquest into Aodhgan’s death, newborns are now screened for the condition.

“This has now been introduced. I hope no family has to go through the same tragedy again.”

She urged maternity staff to respond to alerts and concerns of new mothers about their baby and to continue to monitor and check the baby’s condition.

The legal process has been long and arduous.

"All we wanted was to find out what happened to our son and make sure it does not happen again. We were denied some documents after apply through freedom of information and we had to get our own reports.”

It was claimed there was a failure to adequately monitor the baby and to observe him carefully in the postnatal period and to identify that he was suffering from the metabolic genetic condition.

It was claimed the baby became hypoglycaemic leading to his collapse, and untimely death, on May 26 2016.

It was claimed there was a failure to exercise an appropriate level of care, skill , competence and diligence throughout the baby’s care at the hospital.

There was also an alleged failure to heed and to respond to the concerns raised by the baby’s mother in relation to the baby’s feeding and general wellbeing prior to his collapse and death.

After an episode of vomiting it was claimed there was a failure to examine and observe the baby adequately or at all.

There was also an alleged failure to notice the deteriorating condition of the baby and an alleged failure to be alert to the symptoms of the metabolic genetic condition.

There was a further alleged failure to check the baby’s blood glucose adequately or regularly. All the claims were denied.

Mr Justice Garrett Simons approved the settlement.