Inquest into the Death of Baby JDU

0y · Male·Scimitar syndrome

An 11-week-old term infant (Baby JDU) died from Scimitar syndrome, a rare congenital heart and lung disorder with bilateral complications including pulmonary hypoplasia, venous obstruction, and severe pulmonary hypertension. The infant received intensive care at Princess Margaret Hospital including cardiac catheterisation and emergency surgery. The coroner found that care provided by both the paediatric cardiology and intensive care teams was of a very high standard. Medical management included oxygen therapy, ventilation, inotropic support, nitric oxide, sildenafil, and eventual palliative care. The child was in Department of Communities (child welfare) care due to parental substance misuse. The coroner found the Department's care, supervision, and financial support (accommodation and transport) for family visits to be of an acceptable standard, despite family requests for greater support.