Scottish hospital told to say sorry for baby's meningitis death

A hospital in Scotland has been told to apologise to the family of a new-born baby who died after doctors failed to spot the tell-tales signs of meningitis.

The three-week-old infant was brought into Stirling Road Infirmary back in September 2007, with doctors recognising that she was suffering from fluid on the brain and an enlarged skull.

However, the baby was promptly discharged, with staff at the NHS hospital believing her to be suffering from little more than "poor feeding".

Upon returning to the hospital six days later, doctors then accurately diagnosed meningitis as well as hydrocephalus, though even a month of care in the Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Sick Children wasn't enough to save her, the BBC reported.

Judging on the case, ombudsman Jim Martin stated that staff members at the hospital were guilty of "serious professional failing", with the training and experience of the doctors involved in the case also brought into question.

Among the most common symptoms of meningitis are headaches, a stiffness of the neck, vomiting and fever, as well as an inability to tolerate light or loud noises.

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