Baby born in toilet 'could have been saved from sepsis if he was given antibiotics'

A baby who was born in the toilet after his mother was sent home from a maternity ward died of sepsis because he was not sent to hospital and treated with antibiotics, an inquest has heard.

Charlie Jermyn died in May last year just 30 hours after he was born.

His mother Hayley had been sent away from hospital hours earlier after being told she was not ready to give birth.

Experts say warning signs that Charlie had developed a serious infection were later ignored by a midwife at the house.

He died despite efforts to revive him through CPR.

Mark and Hayley Jermyn of Penryn, Cornwall, said they feel a number of errors in their son's medical care were directly responsible for his death.

The coroner heard Hayley was told by staff at the Royal Cornwall Hospital to go home after five hours on the maternity unit as she was not ready to give birth.

'Red flags'

Microbiologist Dr James Gray told the hearing that if Charlie had been admitted to the hospital antibiotics would have been given and he "probably" would have survived.

He also said the newborn had shown "red flag" indicators of sepsis in the hours after his birth but a midwife did not send him to hospital for treatment.

He added that it cannot be ruled out that Charlie got infected from being delivered in a toilet, but it was "very unlikely".

"The likely cause was that the mother was already carrying the infection before giving birth," he said.

Hard to spot

Dr Katie Mallam, paediatric consultant at the Royal Cornwall Hospital said it can be difficult to pick up signs of sepsis on the first day.

Jayne Canvin, a registered midwife at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, was asked if she missed any warning signs that Hayley was unwell when she went into labour during her time working on the busy ward.

She said: "I was prioritising each woman on their individual needs.

"I was late seeing to Hayley and I apologise. I thought it was appropriate for her to return home.

"But I can confirm my assessment was not rushed. Although there was a delay in my initial assessment, this did not result in me rushing my assessment."

When asked why she was sent home early by the coroner Emma Carlyon, she said: "On examination my observations were that she was not in established labour. There were no signs of infection. When I talked to her she said she would've rather gone home."

The inquest is due to resume tomorrow.