A newborn baby boy died in his mother's arms weeks after being discharged from hospital. Elias Brennan was born prematurely on New Year's Day in 2025 at the Royal Preston Hospital.
The newborn spent two weeks in hospital, including in the neonatal intensive care unit, before being discharged with his mum Emma to their home in Ribbleton. But in the early hours of February 28 2025, Elias was found unresponsive in his mum's bed.
Emergency response and transfer
She started CPR and called 999, and Elias was initially taken to the Royal Preston Hospital before being transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital a few hours later.
Tests at the Liverpool hospital revealed the newborn had suffered hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy, a type of brain dysfunction that happens when a baby's brain does not receive enough oxygen or blood flow around the time of birth. He died in his mum's arms on March 3, Lancashire Live reports.
Inquest conclusion
Following an inquest held at Preston Coroners' Court on August 6, Area Coroner Kate Bisset returned a narrative conclusion and said: "Elias Brennan died on the 3rd March 2025 at the Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool."
"Baby Elias had been born early and spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit prior to his discharge at two weeks old. In the early hours of the 28th February 2025, Elias was found unresponsive in bed with his mum. She commenced CPR and called for emergency assistance.
"Paramedics achieved a return of circulation and Elias was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital before being transferred to Alder Hey on the afternoon of the same day.
"Tests revealed that Elias had suffered hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. He died in his mother's arms on the 3rd March 2025. Post mortem examinations found no traumatic injuries or natural disease processes which would account for his death. His cause of death is unascertained.
"If Elias had been sleeping alone in a cot then a classification of sudden infant death syndrome could have been considered. However Elias was a premature baby in an adult bed so this classification is not available."
