Finding into death of Luke Andrew Hyatt

6y · Male·Acute on chronic respiratory failure in the setting of hypotonic quadriplegic cerebral palsy

Luke Hyatt, a 6-year-old with severe cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease, and cardiac arrhythmia requiring a pacemaker, died from acute on chronic respiratory failure following a respiratory infection. He was admitted to Royal Children's Hospital in November 2012, requiring escalation to ICU with non-invasive ventilation, then intubation. Despite maximal ventilatory support, his condition deteriorated. A planned withdrawal of mechanical ventilation with comfort care was implemented following discussions with family and carers regarding his grave prognosis. The coroner found his care at the hospital and by the Department of Human Services was appropriate and within reasonable healthcare parameters. This case illustrates the complex end-of-life decision-making required in severely disabled children with multiple comorbidities.