Finding into death of Sanaya Sahib

1y · Female·Suffocation

Sanaya Sahib, age 14 months, died from suffocation on 9 April 2016. Her mother, Sofina Nikat, deliberately suffocated her and left her body in Darebin Creek. Ms Nikat was experiencing significant social isolation, family violence from her husband and in-laws, depression, parenting difficulties, and stress. Clinical lessons include the missed opportunity for repeat postnatal depression screening by maternal and child health nurses following Ms Nikat's changed circumstances in March 2016. Although Ms Nikat had an EPDS score of 5 in February 2015, no further screening occurred despite her becoming homeless, living in temporary accommodation, and reporting difficulty managing Sanaya's behaviour. Current Victorian guidelines do not specify reassessment when a mother's circumstances significantly change. The coroner recommended increased frequency of maternal health and wellbeing checks throughout the first two years postnatally, particularly when personal circumstances change.