Doctor Found Guilty in Death of Newborn — Court Hands Down Sentence
The Ovidiopol District Court of Odesa Oblast found an obstetrician-gynecologist guilty of professional negligence, which, according to the court’s ruling, led to the death of a newborn. The tragedy was caused by an intrauterine infection, which led to severe lung damage, respiratory failure, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
Circumstances of the Case
As stated in case file No. 509/316/26, the woman was under the doctor’s care during her pregnancy in 2021. During examinations, she repeatedly showed signs of an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system.
The court found that the doctor failed to establish an accurate diagnosis, did not prescribe the necessary treatment—in particular, antibiotic therapy—and limited herself to urinary tract cleansing, which proved ineffective.
After being admitted to the maternity hospital, the woman gave birth to a live baby. However, approximately five hours after birth, the infant’s condition deteriorated sharply. Medical staff performed resuscitation efforts, but were unable to save the child—she died that same day.
According to the forensic medical examination, the cause of death was an intrauterine infection, which led to severe lung damage, respiratory distress syndrome, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Experts noted that the fetus became infected during pregnancy, and timely treatment of the mother could have prevented the tragedy.
In court, the doctor did not admit guilt and stated that she had performed her professional duties properly. However, the court found her arguments to be unfounded, taking into account the experts’ conclusions, medical records, and the testimony of those involved in the case.
The Court’s Ruling
The woman was sentenced to three years in prison and barred from practicing medicine for three years. At the same time, the court suspended her sentence with a three-year probationary period.
In addition, the court partially granted the child’s parents’ claim. The doctor was ordered to pay one million hryvnias in compensation for emotional distress to the mother of the deceased child and 100,000 hryvnias to the father.
This was reported by the Judicial and Legal Gazette.
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