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Pregnancy Drug Linked to Infant Death in Sunderland
3 Feb
Summary
- Baby Avery died from lung damage due to a pregnancy drug.
- Mother received unclear advice regarding the prescription medication.
- Coroner issued report citing preventable complications.
Baby Avery Hall died in Sunderland on November 13, 2024, following complications from the prescription drug Candesartan. This medication, used by his mother for migraines, is known to cause harm to fetuses, particularly in the second and third trimesters.
Avery suffered from impaired lung development and kidney function due to reduced amniotic fluid. His mother had been prescribed Candesartan prior to her pregnancy but received unclear and indecisive advice from clinicians regarding its safety during her pregnancy.
Despite the known risks and NICE guidance, she was not specifically advised to stop using Candesartan. A repeat prescription for the drug continued until shortly before Avery's birth. The Senior Coroner for Sunderland issued a report highlighting that preventative action should have been taken, as Avery's death resulted from complications that could have been avoided.
