Baby boy critically ill after medics gave him paracetamol overdose in hospital
The parents of a sick baby boy are ‘praying for a miracle’ after their eight-week-old son was overdosed by medics.
First-time parents Ahad Ul Hassan and Hira Mansoor, from Ayr, Scotland, welcomed their son Zohan seven weeks prematurely after mum Hira underwent an emergency C-section.
When he was just over a month old, Zohan started showing signs of a hernia which doctors first operated on at the beginning of March.
But a week after the surgery, his stomach began to swell, and he was transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow last week.
He was due to undergo another surgery last Tuesday when his dad received a call, telling him to ‘leave work immediately’.
Eight-week-old Zohan was overdosed when he was administered 200mg of paracetamol instead of the required 20mg.
Dad Ahad said: ‘When I got there Zohan’s heart rate was sky-high, going over 200 beats per minute, he was trying to cry but his voice wouldn’t let him. They soon started taking blood samples and an antidote was given to stop the effects of poison.
‘He is only 5 pounds, I don’t understand how this could have happened. We are devastated but all we can do is pray.’
Zohan and his parents were placed into a side room of the hospital ward where the baby was being monitored – but he began to convulse.
Worried, his parents told the doctors, who reportedly told them ‘it’s normal for newborns to jerk’.
Ahad decided to film Zohan’s next fit, which, when shared with doctors, prompted urgent medical action.
Baby Zohan was transferred to the hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), where he was ventilated and has been in a level of unconsciousness ever since.
Following the overdose, he now has a swelling on the brain with medics currently unable to predict the outcome – saying he may have irreversible brain damage and problems with his vision.
Ahad and Hira are ‘praying for a miracle’ and have asked for their community’s support while their baby ‘fights for his life.
An internal investigation has now been launched, with the young family being supported by NHSGGC.
Dr Claire Harrow, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services, said: ‘We would like to sincerely apologise to the family of baby Zohan Ul Hassan.
Paracetemol use in children
According to the NHS children can take paracetamol as:
- a syrup from the age of 2 months
- suppositories from the age of 3 months
- tablets (including soluble tablets) from the age of 6 years
- Calpol Fastmelts from the age of 6 years
Babies under two months old can take the drug, only if it is prescribed by a doctor.
Do not give your child more than 4 doses of paracetamol in 24 hours. Wait at least 4 hours between doses.
‘We are continuing to deliver the best possible care for Zohan and we continue to offer support to his family at this distressing time.
‘We have launched a full investigation into this incident and his family will be fully informed of and involved in this process as it continues.’
Metro have contacted the family.
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