1 hr ago
Family Alleges Negligence After Needle Found in Infant
A one-year-old girl had pain and swelling near her ribs.
Her parents first noticed the swelling after she was treated for jaundice as a newborn.
Doctors reportedly said it was a minor growth and that discomfort was common in babies.
In July 2026, the pain became severe.
A hospital in Kozhikode found a needle inside her body and removed it with surgery.
The parents believe the needle may have been left there during treatment at Kottayam Medical College Hospital.
They complained to the hospital and plan to seek action from the state health minister.
The hospital has started an investigation to find out what happened.
A needle was found near a one-year-old girl’s right ribs during an examination at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital in July 2026.
The needle was surgically removed, and the child’s family said doctors believed it had been inside her body for a considerable period.
The child was born at Kottayam Medical College Hospital in June 2025 and received treatment in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for jaundice.
Her parents suspect the needle was left behind during NICU treatment after earlier complaints about swelling and pain were dismissed as minor infant discomforts.
Kottayam Medical College Hospital has begun an inquiry following the family’s complaint.
- Who
- A one-year-old girl, her parents Anju and Vineesh, Kottayam Medical College Hospital, and Kozhikode Medical College Hospital are involved.
- What
- A needle was found and surgically removed from the child’s body, prompting the family to allege possible medical negligence.
- Where
- The child was born and treated at Kottayam Medical College Hospital, while the needle was detected and removed at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.
- When
- The child was born in June 2025; the needle was detected and removed in July 2026, and the report was dated September 4.
- Why
- The family suspects the needle may have been left inside the child during treatment in the Kottayam hospital’s NICU.
Family’s Allegation
Hospital’s Position
Possible source of the needle
Family’s Allegation
The parents say the needle may have been left inside the child during treatment in the Kottayam Medical College Hospital NICU, as they report no other surgery or prolonged hospital admission during the following year.
Hospital’s Position
Hospital authorities have not established responsibility and are investigating who was on duty and what happened during the child’s NICU treatment.
Earlier symptoms
Family’s Allegation
The family says doctors were told about swelling and pain but described the swelling as minor and the discomfort as common among infants.
Hospital’s Position
The hospital has not publicly confirmed the family’s account of the earlier consultations; authorities said the facts would be determined through a detailed inquiry.
Accountability
Family’s Allegation
The family is seeking action over alleged medical negligence and plans to approach the state health minister.
Hospital’s Position
Hospital authorities said the matter would be investigated seriously and that the facts would be ascertained.
Key facts
- Child’s birth
- June 2025 at Kottayam Medical College Hospital
- Initial treatment
- The child was shifted to the NICU after developing jaundice
- Needle location
- Near the child’s right ribs
- Detection and removal
- Detected and surgically removed at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital in July 2026
- Family complaint
- Submitted to the Superintendent of Kottayam Medical College Hospital
- Hospital response
- A deputy superintendent was assigned to investigate
- Requested action
- The family also plans to approach State Health Minister K Muraleedharan
Quotes
Anju
Mother of the child and complainant
“However, doctors told us that it was a minor growth that would subside with treatment. The child continued to experience pain and frequently cried, but doctors told us that such discomforts were common among infants.”
theprint.in
“The needle was surgically removed at the hospital. Doctors told us that it appeared to have been inside the child’s body for a considerable period.”
theprint.in
Sources
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