Baby Dies After Doctors Miss Internal Bleeding Diagnosis

An inquest is underway following the death of a newborn baby, Olivia, whose mother was allegedly misdiagnosed with 'trapped wind' instead of life-threatening internal bleeding. Kimberly Newark, 31, presented to Princess Royal Hospital on September 14, 2024, with severe abdominal pain. Staff initially attributed her symptoms to trapped wind and administered painkillers.

However, her condition rapidly worsened, with excruciating pain and a significant drop in the baby's heart rate prompting an emergency C-section. During the procedure, doctors discovered Kimberley had suffered a rupture of her splenic artery, leading to a massive blood loss of approximately 11 litres. She required a blood transfusion and extensive treatment.

Baby Olivia was born unresponsive and suffered severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy, a condition where the brain lacks sufficient oxygen and blood flow. Despite resuscitation efforts and transfer to a specialist unit, Olivia was found to have no brain activity and was taken off life support on September 19, 2024, six days after birth.

The inquest heard that the couple had repeatedly raised concerns about Kimberley's declining health. Hospital staff reportedly downplayed her symptoms, even advising her to be quiet when she cried out in agony. A review of maternity services, chaired by Donna Ockenden, is expected to examine over 1,000 cases.