A “STARVING” baby passed away after being left for hours on cold and damp bedsheets at an “understaffed” hospital, an inquest revealed.
Tragic infant Lakshith Guptha Nalla, only four weeks old, was left malnourished and dehydrated before his death at the University Hospital last year, the court heard.
A ‘starving’ baby died after being left for hours under cold and damp bedsheets at University Hospital of Wales (stock)Credit: Alamy
His devastated parents have had their lives “changed forever,” the Pontypridd Coroners’ Court was informed.
A series of medical oversights were highlighted leading up to Lakshith’s death in the early hours of May 11, 2024.
Coroner Rachel Knight stated that the “persistent and gross understaffing” of the neonatal unit left the infant without nutrition for four hours.
The alleged shortage of staff also meant that no one noticed he had developed an infection or that he was lying on cold, wet bedding.
Knight described baby Lakshith as “vulnerable” and “entirely dependent on the NICU.”
She also mentioned that on May 9, the nurse responsible for the late baby, Pasqualina Mollo, had disconnected the feeding tube to allow the infant to cuddle with his parents.
However, due to a lack of spare feeding tubes, the baby was left without a replacement for over an hour and a half.
After a new tube was fitted, it was not connected properly—a fact that staff were unaware of for hours, Wales Online reported.
The court also heard that staff were responsible for twice the recommended number of patients.
Lakshith’s records even had gaps, including missing vital observations between 4 PM and 5 PM on the day he died.
By 6 PM, nurses realized he had not been fed properly for four hours.
Blood tests indicated that the unfortunate baby was hypoglycemic.
He suffered from metabolic and respiratory acidosis and was cold and dehydrated at the time of his death.
Knight labeled the level of care as “wholly inadequate,” but stated there was insufficient evidence to legally classify the failures as neglect.
She concluded that the baby’s cause of death was peritonitis and necrotizing enterocolitis.
The coroner noted that following the prescribed feeding would not necessarily have prevented Lakshith’s death.
Knight said: “Due to staffing levels on the ward and missing equipment, he was not cared for to the standard he should have been and was not fed for four hours.
“He was showing signs of necrotizing enterocolitis, which is likely the cause of his death.”
The court heard that Lakshith’s family had moved from India in hopes of a better life in the UK.
After the loss of their son, his family returned to India and requested that his body be donated—hoping it may help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Knight also expressed satisfaction with the board’s staffing improvements and new equipment at the NICU to avert future tragedies.
The baby died at University Hospital of Wales inside the neonatal unitCredit: Alamy
Table of Contents
- Incident Overview
- Conditions in the Neonatal Unit
- Coroner's Findings
- Family Response
- Future Prevention Measures
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to baby Lakshith Guptha Nalla?
Baby Lakshith passed away after being left without adequate care and nutrition at an understaffed neonatal unit.
What were the findings of the coroner?
The coroner found that the level of care was “wholly inadequate,” citing understaffing and medical oversights as contributing factors to the baby's death.
What actions are being taken to prevent future incidents?
The hospital board has implemented staffing improvements and acquired new equipment for the NICU to enhance care and prevent similar tragedies.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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