Kalyan: A newborn boy died barely 22 hours after birth at Vasant Valley Maternity Home, run by Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), sparking allegations of medical negligence by the family.According to hospital records, Taslima Khatoon delivered a boy on Saturday morning. The boy was reportedly healthy at birth, though doctors noted that the infant passed stool in the womb. Following protocol, the boy was briefly kept on oxygen support before being handed over to the mother.Family members, however, alleged that doctors initially recommended keeping the newborn in NICU for three days but then discharged him from oxygen support within half an hour. Around 6am on Sunday, Taslima breastfed the boy. An hour and a half later, the family noticed no movement and alerted doctors, who declared the infant dead.The family created a ruckus at the hospital, accusing doctors of negligence and holding them responsible for the death. Taslima’s husband alleged, “They first told us the boy would be kept in NICU for three days, but after a short time on oxygen, he was declared fit. The very next day, he died — this is clear negligence.”Dr Sapna Ramole, attached to the hospital, said the newborn was kept on oxygen only as a precaution since he passed stool before birth. She claimed the child was stable when discharged from oxygen and was also examined on Saturday evening, showing no signs of distress. “We suspect the boy may have choked on milk while being breastfed in sleep,” she said.KDMC deputy health officer Prashant Borkar told TOI that an inquiry has been ordered and a post-mortem will determine the exact cause of death. “Further action will be taken based on the findings,” he said.The local Khadakpada police have also begun a probe and said they will proceed only after receiving the medical report.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the majority of all neonatal deaths (75%) occur during the first week of life, and about one million newborns die within the first 24 hours every year. Preterm birth, intrapartum-related complications (birth asphyxia or lack of breathing at birth), infections, and birth defects cause most neonatal deaths, according to WHO.
