A four-week-old baby died in a Welsh hospital after being left malnourished, dehydrated, and lying on cold, damp bed sheets, a coroner's court has heard.
Inquest Reveals Tragic Failings
Lakshith Guptha Nalla passed away in the early hours of May 11, 2024 at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. Pontypridd Coroners' Court was told that the newborn was a "vulnerable baby" on the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The hearing revealed a harrowing sequence of failings. Lakshith was under-fed for a significant period and became severely dehydrated. Furthermore, he was left for hours lying on bedding that was described as both cold and damp, conditions utterly unsuitable for a critically ill infant.
Systemic Pressures on the Ward
The inquest heard evidence pointing to systemic problems on the ward that contributed to the tragedy. The nurses caring for Lakshith were described as overworked, and the neonatal intensive care unit itself was critically understaffed at the time.
This lack of resources and overwhelming pressure on staff is believed to have directly impacted the level of monitoring and essential care the four-week-old baby received in the lead-up to his death.
A Family's Life Changed Forever
The coroner's court was told that for Lakshith's parents, life has "changed forever" since that day in May. Their loss highlights devastating consequences of potential failures within a service designed to care for the most fragile patients.
The case has raised serious questions about patient safety, staffing levels, and procedural adherence within neonatal services at the hospital. The inquest, which is ongoing, continues to examine the full circumstances surrounding this tragic baby death.
