A newborn baby who died at home minutes after being born prematurely would likely have survived had he been born in hospital, an inquest has heard. Benjamin Guiseppe Alonzo Durso died at a house in Swansea after not receiving the medical attention he needed. Senior coroner Aled Gruffydd concluded at the inquest held at Swansea's Guildhall on Monday that the death was partly a result of neglect.
Details of the Incident
The inquest heard how on Sunday, September 3, 2023, Natalie Rees gave birth alone in the bedroom and living room area at her home address in Bryn Road, Brynmill. Detective Constable Bethan Owen, for South Wales Police, detailed in her covering report how Miss Rees had been experiencing abdominal pain and general malaise in the days leading up to giving birth. Her condition worsened before she realised she was about to give birth prematurely at the 24 to 26 week stage.
During the afternoon, she called her then partner, Andre, to tell him she had given birth and that the baby had died. He attended the house at 4.45pm and contacted the Welsh Ambulance Service for medical assistance. Miss Rees had not called the ambulance herself as she 'was in shock.' The police and ambulance service attended the house six and a half hours after the birth, the inquest heard, and Miss Rees was taken to hospital after receiving treatment from paramedics.
Testimony and Medical Findings
A statement was read from Amy Thomas, of the ambulance service, who said that while treating Miss Rees, she told her that Benjamin had been born and actively took breaths before he died ten minutes later. It was heard how Miss Rees had cut the umbilical cord herself with a pair of scissors, held him, and placed him on a chair next to her bed.
A statement from Dr. Joanna Webb, a consultant neonatologist, detailed that birth outside of hospital, even with active health support, would make survival uncertain. A statement from Miss Rees' then partner Andre heard that three days before Benjamin's death, she had told him her stomach was hurting and that she was 'feeling weird' with the baby, adding that she had said she felt her baby would die but had refused earlier medical intervention.
Dr. Andrew Bamber, in a post-mortem report, gave the cause of death as perinatal asphyxia following a lack of care after the delivery of an extremely premature baby.
Coroner's Conclusion
Senior coroner Aled Gruffydd, returning his conclusion, said Benjamin had been born prematurely at 24 to 26 weeks, and that Miss Rees had been feeling unwell with abdominal pain and general malaise, believing that the symptoms would resolve themselves. He stated: 'Benjamin was born extremely prematurely. If he had been born at hospital and had care, he would have likely survived. Dr. Bamber found medical attention was not sought in a timely manner following delivery and that Benjamin died of perinatal asphyxia.'
He added that the evidence of Miss Rees' earlier concerns over her child's welfare, and her refusal of earlier medical treatment, amounted to a 'gross failure' and was a 'causative link.' He returned a conclusion of death by natural causes contributed to by neglect. Mr. Gruffydd added: 'The finding is not meant to cast any aspersions around any party linked to the case, but is simply going on the evidence. I would like to express deepest condolences to the family.'
