Coronial
VIChospital

Finding into death of Baby L

Deceased

Baby L

Demographics

0y, female

Date of death

2017-11-18

Finding date

2019-06-17

Cause of death

OEIS Complex (Omphalocoele, Exstrophy of Cloaca, Imperforate Anus, Spinal Defects) and prematurity

AI-generated summary

Baby L died aged 7 days from OEIS Complex (a severe congenital condition involving omphalocoele, exstrophy of cloaca, imperforate anus, and spinal defects) combined with prematurity at 32 weeks gestation. The defect was incompatible with life—the large abdominal wall defect caused lethal fluid losses, renal failure, intestinal failure, and sepsis risk. Surgical repair was deemed impossible due to defect size, and even if feasible would not achieve continence. The medical team appropriately made a palliative care decision on day 7. The coroner found no preventable issues; the anomalies were random in nature and unrelated to maternal risk factors. This case illustrates appropriate end-of-life decision-making in a lethal congenital condition where aggressive intervention was futile.

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

Contributing factors

  • lethal congenital anomaly incompatible with life
  • massive abdominal wall defect preventing surgical closure
  • prematurity at 32 weeks gestation
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