NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A Brooklyn family is dealing with
absolute devastation after their only child died following a fatal
mistake. Their baby boy was taken to the hospital with just a fever
and was given what turned out to be a deadly dose of
medication.
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, the New York City Medical Examiner
ruled the death of 6-month-old Amaan Ahmmad an accident. The ME
said the death was the result of complications following
administration of an adult dose of the antibiotic azithromycin,
which is commercially known as Zithromax.
Instead of looking forward to a lifetime of birthdays, the
family is now making funeral arrangements for their child. Ummay
Sultana and Amain Ahmmad said their son became ill last Friday, so
they took him to Brookdale, where he was born.
“He catch cold and we took him to the emergency,” Sultana
said.
Hospital records showed baby Amaan was brought to the ER “alert
and responsive” and with the exception of a fever, which was
reportedly around 100, the nursing staff did not list any other
visible symptoms.
But an examination led to a diagnosis of clinical pneumonia.
Amaan was transferred to the pediatric unit and given a dose of the
azithromycin through an IV drip in his right arm.
According to the nursing notes, at least 36 minutes passed
before the hospital staff realized something was wrong.
CBS 2’s Jay Dow spoke with the parents Wednesday and asked the
boy’s father who he blames for his son’s death.
“Hospital management, doctor, nurse—of emergency,” he
replied.
“I’m like ‘look, look my baby’s dying! My baby’s dying!’ and
then nurse came over and said ‘no, you’re baby’s pretty good. He’s
sleeping,’” Sultana told CBS 2’s Sean Hennessey.
A copy of the hospital’s discharge summary states the child was
given “Azithromycin (500mg), in error” — which led to “cardiac
shock.”
Family pediatrician Dr. Suzanne Loiselle said that dosage is
more typical for an adult and not a 17-pound baby like Amaan.
“Nobody can feel worse for the family than the doctors and
nurses that were involved in this child’s care,” Loiselle said.
“About 80 milligrams would be appropriate for a child roughly in
his weight class.”
Less than 24 hours after the overdose, Ummay and Amain were told
their son was brain dead. Amaan was taken off a respirator on
Monday.
“They told us there is no hope because his head is totally
collapsed,” his father told Hennessey.
Brookdale Hospital would not answer questions from 1010 WINS or
CBS 2, saying only: “We are investigating the circum- stances of
this tragic incident and express our condolences to the Ahmmad
family.”
“I never think like that he pass away forever,” Sultana said. “I
thought he’s gonna come back.”
The two first-time parents said they are both devastated and
outraged over a fatal medical mistake that cut short their
baby’s
life just as it was getting started.
2)
Dr. Loiselle indicated that the 500 mg dosage administered for
Amaan is more typical for an adult and not a 17-pound baby. If a
500 mg of the medication is administered to an adult male of 190
lbs, what would be the
dosage (in mg/kg)? If the same amount of medication is
administered to an adult female weighing 140 lbs, what would be the
dosage (in mg/kg)?