Circumcision baby ‘could have lived’
The 29-day-old Nigerian baby died from blood loss after a circumcision performed with a razor blade by a third generation circumcisionist in the kitchen of his home in Waterford.
"This could have been treated certainly in the early stages it could have been dealt with," Dr Bolster said yesterday in her evidence to the court.
She examined the baby's body and said the circumcision looked like "a very professionally carried out operation". And she added that "it looked like a very good result". The problem arose in stopping the bleeding and the failure to bring the baby for treatment.
Ms Bolster added that a 10%-20% blood loss in an infant was sufficient to cause death. In an adult, it would be far greater, in or around 33%, she told the court.
Osagie Igbinidion has pleaded not guilty to the reckless endangerment of the child.
Dr Joseph Spitzer who has been carrying out circumcisions for the past 23 years said there are risks associated with the procedure. The case before a jury of 10 men and two women is in its fourth day today.
