Screenshot from website of the the Ningbo University Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital

The tragic death of a 5-month-old baby girl nicknamed "Little Luoxi" after surgery at the Ningbo University Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital in Zhejiang Province continues to attract widespread public attention. Her family said they will pursue a medical malpractice evaluation while appealing rational and restrained public discussion of the case.

On December 20, Luoxi's mother released portions of the autopsy report on social media, which stated that no coronary sinus-type atrial septal defect was found. A comprehensive evaluation has concluded that the girl died of heart and respiratory failure due to complications following surgical repair of a secundum-type atrial septal defect, according to media reports.

Luoxi's mother said in an interview with Hongxing News that the family will pursue a medical malpractice evaluation, and to ensure fairness and impartiality, the family hopes to entrust the evaluation to the Chinese Medical Association. The Health Commission of Ningbo cannot be reached to make a response as of press time.

According to the family, Luoxi was admitted to the Ningbo University Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital on November 11 and diagnosed with a mixed-type atrial septal defect. She underwent surgery under general anesthesia on November 14, after which her condition was deemed critical with complications; she died following after a procedure that lasted more than seven hours, according to a report from the chinanews.com.cn.

On December 14, the Health Commission of Ningbo released an official investigation report which found multiple deficiencies in the medical team's handling of the case, including insufficient risk assessment, surgical errors, and delayed communication with the family regarding intraoperative emergencies. Several individuals were disciplined.

On the evening of December 20, the hospital issued a statement saying autopsy showed the atrial septal defect measured 1.0 cm by 0.9 cm, not 0.3 cm as claimed by the family. The hospital said the child's heart had significantly contracted during the autopsy because it was no longer beating, and that a defect of around one centimeter would have had a substantial impact on the growth and development of a five-month-old infant. The statement was later deleted, according to chinanews.com.cn. 

On the evening of December 19, Little Luoxi's family announced on social media that they had received the autopsy report. The following day, Luoxi's father told reporters that the family had indeed obtained the report but was not in a position to release it in full, and had therefore only disclosed selected excerpts online. 

The parents also said that their personal privacy and medical records had been leaked and that they have reported the matter to the police. They said many online claims surrounding the case are inconsistent with the facts and that the spread of false information has caused them further distress. Already devastated by the loss of their child, the family said they are now facing unwarranted accusations, which they find deeply difficult to accept. They have called on the public to remain rational and restrained in discussing the case.


Global Times