A man who has cerebral palsy has taken a High Court action for damages arising out of the circumstances of his birth at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin.
It is claimed there was a failure to properly diagnose and treat his mother and to take appropriate action in response to her haemorrhaging.
Mr Darren Purdy, suing by his mother, Ms Elizabeth Purdy, Macken Street, Dublin, has taken the proceedings against a nominee of the hospital and four obstetricians - Dr Kieran O'Driscoll, Dr Margaret Sheridan-Pereira, Dr Maire Skelly and Dr John Ryan. The defence denies the claims.
Mr Purdy was born on February 28th, 1978. It is claimed that on January 16th, 1978 Mrs Purdy was taken by ambulance to the hospital where she was diagnosed with unsubstantial haemorrhage at only 27 weeks. Examination revealed there was a mal-presentation of the foetus in the form of a transverse lie.
The following day, it was noted that bleeding had ceased. She underwent further examinations and treatment and was discharged on January 19th. It is claimed that, at 9.45 a.m. on February 28th, 1978, Mrs Purdy was again taken by ambulance to the hospital and admitted with painless substantial haemorrhage. Examination yielded a provisional diagnosis of placenta praevia (low-lying placenta). Mrs Purdy's pulse rate increased between then and 10.30 a.m.
She was transferred to an empty ward and advised to ring a bell if she required assistance. Haemorrhaging recommenced and, it is alleged, she was unable to call for assistance as the bell did not work. A cleaning lady came to her assistance and alerted medical personnel.
Further examination confirmed the diagnosis of substantial haemorrhage with a clinical diagnosis of placenta praevia. An examination at 4.50 p.m. indicated there was further loss of blood. Darren was delivered by Caesarean section at 6 p.m., it is pleaded. Mrs Purdy suffered severe loss of blood and required a transfusion.
Darren attended a pre-school clinic for a year following surgery at the age of four. Afterwards, he attended Marino Clinic School, Bray. After his father's death in 1998 he attended the Barrett Cheshire Home as well as Sandymount Clinic three days a week.
It is claimed there was a failure to attach due significance to and take appropriate action in response to the haemorrhages of January 16th and February 28th and a failure to diagnose placenta praevia. It is also claimed there was a failure to keep Mrs Purdy cross-matched with blood; a failure to appreciate the amount of blood loss; a failure to set up a drip for her; and a failure to take steps to prevent her suffering hypoxic damage.
Mr James Connolly SC, for Mrs Purdy, said she was aged 36 at the time and had four previous normal pregnancies.
From the time of Mrs Purdy's admission appropriate steps should have been put in place to minimise the risk to mother and child, counsel argued.
The hearing, before Mr Justice Johnson, is expected to last a number of weeks.