Finding into death of Summer Jamsek

0y · Female·Persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN)

Summer Jamsek was born at 4pm on 4 April 2010 with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and died 5 April 2010 at Royal Children's Hospital. The coroner found Baby Summer died from PPHN but was not satisfied it was caused by sepsis despite low blood sugars and fluctuating oxygen requirements. While Dr M.'s management was generally appropriate, the coroner identified that antibiotics could reasonably have been administered by 8:30pm as a precautionary measure given concerning clinical features. However, expert evidence indicated that earlier antibiotics would likely not have altered the outcome given the fulminant, rapidly progressive nature of the condition. The coroner concluded no deficiency in management was a causal factor in death.