Newborn baby dies after being given laughing gas instead of oxygen during medical procedure

Another child is thought to have suffered severe brain damage at hospital in Sydney, Australia

(iStockphoto)

A newborn baby has died in hospital care after it was accidently given laughing gas instead of oxygen in a resuscitation unit, while another child has suffered suspected brain damage in a separate incident at the same facility.

The accidents both occurred at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital in south west Sydney, Australia, where it is said machines in the neo-natal centre had been incorrectly installed by a private gas company.

Another child was left in a critical condition at the facility back in January 2014 after it was given nitrous oxide instead of oxygen during treatment, Channel 9 News later revealed.

Sonya Ghanem, whose newborn child John was killed by the gas during a routine procedure on July 13, told the network: “I said ‘I want to see him’. Just looking at him, shaking. 'My son, wake up,' I would tell him. 'Wake up, wake up. What did they do to you?'"

“Coming out of the hospital, I held nothing in my hand. I came empty-handed. Thinking I’d hold my newborn but no. Shocking, shocking this hospital.”

Meanwhile the baby girl who has thought to have suffered significant brain damage was given the substance by mistake shortly after she was born in June.

New South Wales Health Minister Jillian Skinner said in a statement she was “profoundly sorry” about the incidents and confirmed the operating theatres remained closed pending an investigation.

Ms Skinner said: “I deeply regret these families have suffered through such a devastating error. NSW Health will do all it can to support them. There has been an open disclosure of the facts with the families involved.”

The oxygen outlets were incorrectly installed by gas supplier BOC Limited in July last year, and the company said it was conducting an internal inquest into the incidents.

In a statement, a representative from BOC said: “We deeply regret that these families are suffering pain and sorrow. It is important to identify the exact cause of this tragedy.”

Ms Skinner added she had sought urgent advice on how the error happened and whether hospital staff followed protocols.

She also said every medical gas outlet in a NSW Health facility installed since the Liberal Government came to power in 2011 would be checked.