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New baby ‘cried in pain’ for months as doctors ‘missed signs of condition’

Newborn endured months of pain as doctors allegedly missed condition signs
A mother has revealed the distress of watching her newborn baby cry in pain for 13 weeks after doctors reportedly failed to identify signs of a painful condition. Demi-Leigh Hughes delivered her daughter Isabella prematurely at William Harvey Hospital in Kent on August 5. The full-time mum claims that doctors took 13 weeks to diagnose Isabella with an anterior anus, an abnormal positioning of the anus. Demi expressed her anguish over Isabella’s treatment, stating that she had to rely on laxatives to help with bowel movements due to the condition not being detected earlier.
Describing their ordeal, Demi expressed frustration at the delayed diagnosis, mentioning that Isabella required a major operation to reposition her bowel and might need a stoma bag. She believed that had the condition been recognised sooner, Isabella could have started treatment earlier and avoided unnecessary pain. Demi also recalled her concerns about the hospital’s care, as her previous child’s medical check did not detect the condition despite being apparent to her and other medical professionals.
Demi is contemplating legal action, questioning how many other children might be experiencing similar oversights by medical staff. She emphasised the need for improved training for neonatal doctors to prevent families from enduring prolonged distress. In response to the incident, a spokesperson from East Kent University Hospitals Trust, which oversees the William Harvey Hospital, expressed regret over the situation and invited Demi to contact their patient advice service. They explained that while practitioners are trained to perform baby checks, some conditions may not be detectable at the initial examination.
In an effort to ensure better care for newborns and prevent similar cases, Demi called for increased vigilance and training among medical professionals. She hopes that by sharing her experience, other families can be spared from the anguish she and Isabella endured.
Insights:
The case of Demi-Leigh Hughes and her daughter Isabella sheds light on the challenges faced by parents when medical conditions in newborns are missed or not promptly diagnosed. It highlights the importance of thorough and vigilant medical examinations in neonatal care to prevent prolonged suffering for infants and their families. Improved training and awareness among medical professionals could help in early identification and treatment of such conditions, ultimately leading to better outcomes for newborns. Parents should be encouraged to advocate for their child’s health and seek further opinions if they feel their concerns are not being addressed adequately.