New Mum Dies After Hospital Missed Pre-eclampsia Signs

A devastating tragedy unfolded as a first-time mother, Ilona Kazik, 32, passed away 11 days after giving birth to her son, Anthony. Despite presenting with symptoms like severe headaches, medics at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital failed to adequately assess her condition, missing critical signs of pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure. She was sent home twice in the 24 hours preceding her planned C-section.

Following the birth, Ilona's health deteriorated rapidly. She experienced headaches, blurred vision, and vomiting before becoming unresponsive, ultimately suffering a major brain bleed. A subsequent inquest revealed significant omissions and missed opportunities in her care, with the coroner concluding that inadequate treatment and the administration of a contraindicated drug likely contributed to her death.

Ilona's grieving husband described her as a loving wife and mother, whose future dreams are now unfulfilled. The case highlights critical failures in monitoring and communication within maternity care, leading to a profound loss. Improvements in maternity safety and clinical communication are now being implemented by the hospital trust.