Sophia Smith was just 11 days old when she died in an intensive care unit at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow in 2017.
Sophia Smith, an 11-day-old newborn, died at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow in 2017. An ongoing Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) is examining her death. Born on March 31, 2017, she was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to breathing difficulties and a possible heart issue. Her death was sudden, described by her father as a "bolt from the blue," following signs of improvement. On April 11, 2017, her mother noticed her turning ashen, leading to her deterioration and death. The cause of death included pulmonary haemorrhage, cardiomyopathy, Down Syndrome, and persistent pulmonary hypertension. Blood samples before NICU admission showed no infection, but the bacterium involved can cause serious issues if it enters the body. The hospital had some non-compliance with infection control, though not specifically linked to NICU. The case is part of a broader investigation into infections at the hospital linked to the built environment. The inquiry aims to provide answers for her parents, who expressed their long-awaited hope for truth.
