A couple in Antigua and Barbuda is consulting with an attorney following a shocking incident in which a needle was left embedded in the leg of their newborn baby.
The infant, born just days earlier, was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center for observation due to jaundice and reported dehydration.
After receiving treatment, the baby was discharged yesterday; however, the parents noted that the baby exhibited unusual irritability and excessive crying, which they attributed to typical newborn behavior.
It was only about 24 hours after returning home that the parents discovered the horrifying oversight.
While removing the baby’s diaper, they noticed that a needle and applicator were still protruding from the baby’s foot, having been overlooked during the hospital’s discharge process.
The parents had kept the baby’s sock on and did not immediately remove it upon bringing him home.
Acknowledging the incident as a significant error on the part of the medical professionals, the family is now seeking legal counsel to address the situation. They expressed their hope that such incidents could be prevented in the future, stating, “We don’t want this to happen to another baby”.
