Selly Oak baby death couple vow to take their fight to the high court

Dec 10 2009 by William Oliphant, Birmingham Mail

PARENTS of a child who died shortly after being born prematurely at Birmingham Women’s Hospital have vowed to take their case to the high court.

Ikram Khan’s mother, Shash Meena, 27, from Selly Oak, gave birth during the 19th week of her pregnancy after she was denied access to a consultant due to a clerical error.

But Birmingham Coroner, Aiden Cotter, ruled that the hospital had not been negligent, and futher decived that the cause of Ikram’s death could not be attributed to not seeing a consultant.

The coroners’ court heard that Mrs Meena, from Selly Oak, had gone to her GP in January after she experienced blood spotting and was referred to a consultant.

But she was only seen by midwives at hospital and was denied a surgical procedure – known as a cervical suture – which could have increased the length of her pregnancy.

This was despite the fact that Mrs Meena had required a suture in her fourth pregnancy and had suffered complications during the birth of her third child.

She returned to hospital on February 21 after going into labour and was told that a miscarriage was inevitable. Ikram was born at 11.17am on February 22 and died shortly afterwards.

The court heard from expert witness and consultant gynaecolagist and obstetrician, Mr Malcolm Griffiths, who said that a suture could have been be used to prolong the gestation period and prevent premature birth.

But he said that even if Mrs Meena had seen a consultant she may have been advised against a cervical suture because of potential complications.

Summing up, Mr Cotter said Ikram had died from being born extremely premature.

“It’s generally accepted that no baby can survive after such a short gestation,” he added.

“I’m also satisfied that there was an error in booking an appointment by Birmingham Women’s hospital. In my view that’s a clear failure, but not a gross failure.

“I’m satisfied that any consultant who might have seen Shash Meena would have advised her against having the cervical suture and I’m satisfied that because I have heard nothing at all which suggest that it was clinically advisable for a cervical suture to be used on this occasion.”

But Ikram’s father, Khalid Khan said he wasn’t satisfied.

“I don’t think it’s right. I’m going to go to the high court. I won’t rest until justice is done,” he said.

“It doesn’t go far enough.”