Girl who allegedly suffered chemical burn from wipe as newborn settles action for €320k

It was claimed girl, now seven, suffered a burn to her left flank, abdomen and thigh when the wipe, which contains a preparation of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate, was allegedly not removed from her incubator

The young girl had sued The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, over the alleged incident in 2017.

A seven-year-old girl who as a newborn baby suffered a chemical type burn after it was claimed a wipe was allegedly left in her incubator at a maternity hospital has settled a High Court action for over €320,000.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a very severe case of scarring, but he was satisfied to approve the settlement, which he said was fair and reasonable.

The girl’s counsel, Jonathan Kilfeather SC, told the High Court the girl had been left with scarring on her left hip and abdomen area and she may in the future require surgery for the scarring.

The young girl, who cannot be named by order of the court, had sued The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, over the alleged incident in 2017.

It was claimed she suffered a burn to her left flank, abdomen and thigh when the wipe, which contains a preparation of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate, was allegedly not removed from her incubator. 

It was claimed this was first noted by nursing staff at about 1am, nine hours after the baby was born premature.

It was further claimed a note stated the wipe was very stuck to the area and there was an area on the baby which was coloured dark red. The wipe was removed, and the nappy changed.

In the proceedings, it was claimed these types of wipes are designed for use as wipes and not for prolonged exposure to the skin.

It was alleged the wipe had been left attached to the baby’s thigh for too long and left under her nappy.

There was, it was further claimed, an alleged failure to remove the wipe and an alleged failure to adhere to the product guidelines and advice for the use of such wipes.

She had been caused, it was claimed, to suffer a burn to her left thigh as a result.

All of the claims were denied.

The newborn was treated with antibiotics for seven days and was later transferred to another hospital for further treatment including dressings and a review by a plastic surgeon.

Counsel told the court the girl’s muscular skeletal development had not been affected but she may require scar releasing surgery when she is older. He said her family was satisfied with the offer.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey wished the girl and her family well for the future.