Hylton Armstrong represented the family of baby Isobelle Kirk at the inquest touching her death

Isobelle’s mother was 38 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to hospital with reduced fetal movements and an abnormal CTG with reduced variability. 

Isobelle was delivered by way of a category 1 emergency caesarean section, but could not be resuscitated, and after 31 minutes was pronounced dead.     

A Consultant Perinatal and Paediatric Pathologist subsequently concluded Isobelle had sadly died as a consequence of hypoxia-ischaemic encephalopathy arising from antenatal fetal hypoxia resulting from nuchal cord.

At the inquest the Trust acknowledged that a decision to proceed with delivery by way of a caesarean section should have been made sooner, but gave evidence to suggest an earlier delivery would not have made a difference. 

At the inquest the coroner heard evidence from two independent experts;  Dr Helen Simpson (Consultant Obstetrician employed by the South Tees NHS Foundation Trust) and Dr Hannan (Consultant Neonatologist and Head of Neonatal Services at Great Ormond Street Hospital).

After 3 days of evidence the coroner concluded Isobelle died from natural causes contributed to by a delay in delivery.

For further details of the case, visit the link here. 

Hylton Armstrong is a member of Parklane Plowden’s specialist Inquests and Inquiries team. To view Hylton’s profile, click here.