A shocking case of medical negligence has surfaced in Birmingham, where a pregnant mother was told to take a bath after reporting concerning symptoms. After her son Shanto Khaliquzaman was born with severe disabilities as a result of his injuries, the trust managing her care admitted liability.
Dilshad Sultana, a resident of Sutton Coldfield, was 36 weeks pregnant and on her way to the hospital for a scheduled C-section when she began experiencing abdominal and lower back pain. She called Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital to report that her baby was moving less, but was told to rest and take pain medication instead. Shanto was delivered by emergency C-section almost three hours later, but he was “not in a good condition – it was heartbreaking.”
Shanto had severe brain damage and required resuscitation. He spent 22 days in intensive care due to seizures and multiple brain haemorrhages. Since being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, he is unable to walk, talk, or sit without assistance and requires 24-hour care.
Mrs. Sultana retained attorneys to pursue a medical malpractice claim against the trust. Since then, the trust has admitted liability and made a voluntary interim payment to help the family relocate to a new home that has been specially adapted to accommodate Shanto’s needs.
Mrs. Sultana is now advocating for change; she wants mothers to be listened to during maternity care and more attention paid to monitoring the heart rates of newborns. She hopes that by speaking out, she can help prevent other families from experiencing what she has.
The Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has apologised for the quality of care provided to the family and urged other pregnant women to contact them if they have any concerns during their pregnancy.
