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Coroner's Finding: STEPHEN Esther Ruth

Deceased

Esther Ruth Stephen

Demographics

female

Date of death

2004-07-21

Finding date

2007-07-12

Cause of death

hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy due to intrapartum hypoxia due to delayed delivery of second twin

AI-generated summary

A 54-hour-old neonate died of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy following a planned home birth of twins. The second twin experienced a prolonged delay in delivery (over 60 minutes) during which foetal heart rate decelerations were noted. An independent midwife appropriately managed the emergency, secured transfer to hospital by ambulance, and the baby was delivered by emergency caesarean section within 7 minutes of arrival. The coroner found no fault with clinical management, concluding the parents made an informed decision despite clear advice that twin births should occur in hospital. The case highlights inherent risks of twin home births and the critical importance of hospital delivery for twins due to unpredictable complications in the second twin.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.

Specialties

obstetricsmidwiferyneonatology

Clinical conditions

twin pregnancyintrapartum hypoxiahypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathyfoetal distressdelayed delivery of second twin

Procedures

emergency caesarean section

Contributing factors

  • prolonged interval between delivery of twins (over 60 minutes)
  • foetal heart rate decelerations during labour of second twin
  • cervical swelling and incomplete dilation delaying delivery
  • delivery of twins in home setting rather than hospital
Full text

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