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€1.9m settlement for boy injured at birth after alleged Caesarean delay due to doctors' row
€1.9m settlement for boy injured at birth after alleged Caesarean delay due to doctors' row

The Journal

time22-07-2025

  • Health
  • The Journal

€1.9m settlement for boy injured at birth after alleged Caesarean delay due to doctors' row

A BOY BORN in Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise who was allegedly delivered after a delayed Caesarean Section and who suffered 'severe personal injury' has had a €1.9M settlement in his favour approved by the High Court. The now 16-year-old was born in January 2009 at the hospital, which has been subject to investigation over patient safety. The child's mother sued the HSE on behalf of her son for alleged medical negligence for what she said was a breach of statutory duty to adequately provide medical services to her and her son in 2009 at the Co Laois hospital. The court heard that the mother was due to give birth in January 2009, and had attended all of her antenatal appointments, culminating with a clinic at the hospital four days after her due date. No 'significant abnormal conditions in relation to the pregnancy were present' at that point. The mother was admitted to hospital five days after her due date, but had 'slow and irregular' pain. A cardiotocography trace (CTG) was carried out and was found to be 'abnormal', as the unborn baby displayed 'frequent decelerations' in his heart rate. However, despite the abnormal readings, the CTG was discontinued. A second CTG was carried out at 8.45am the same morning that showed decelerations and abnormalities up to around 12.30pm. It was claimed the drug Oxytocin was then administered by injection to speed up labour. It was claimed that the readings from the CTG were not reproduced in a legible fashion and were difficult to interpret. A decision was made to deliver the child by emergency Caesarean Section and he was born at 1.36pm, allegedly 80 minutes after a decision to perform the Caesarean was made – 50 minutes outside the usual timeframe. It was claimed that the newborn then suffered 'extreme difficulties' with breathing, due to hypoxia, and that there was a delay in his resuscitation. In addition, an altercation between members of the hospital staff occurred during the attempts at resuscitation, it was alleged. During a second attempt at intubation, a doctor was interrupted by an anaesthetic doctor without invitation who attempted to force an oxygen mask on the child, it was claimed. Advertisement It was alleged that the anaesthetist 'brushed aside' the attending doctor and raised his voice, shouting 'for fuck sake just bag him'. The doctor was eventually able to drain meconium – a baby's first stool – from the child through suction, after which safe intubation was performed. The doctor, it was submitted, was 'considerably interrupted in his attempts to intubate and resuscitate the plaintiff by actions of the anaesthetist doctor'. In the aftermath of his birth, the newborn was noted as being in pain, jaundiced, vomiting with streaks of blood, having hypoxic metabolic acidosis, high blood pressure and was in need of ventilation. He spent 11 days in intensive care, and an MRI scan showed his kidney and brain had an infarct resulting in 'severe personal injuries', it was claimed. At the High Court today, Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told by John Healy SC, instructed by David O'Malley of Callan Tansey solicitors, for the plaintiff, that a final settlement of €1.9M for breaches of duty by the defendant, albeit without an admission of liability, could be recommended to the court for what he said was the child's 'turbulent' introduction to the world. Mr Justice Coffey approved the settlement and addressed the plaintiff, who was present in court, saying he was pleased to see him 'looking so well and I wish you all the best for the future'. 'Second-tier maternity system' Reacting to the settlement, solicitor David O'Malley, in a statement on behalf the family, said: 'The family welcomes the settlement and for the security it will provide [the plaintiff]. 'They would like to acknowledge the efforts of the State Claims Agency and their legal representatives in facilitating mediation to resolve this case. The purpose of civil society is to prevent similar events recurring. 'The family questioned the birth, having witnessed the Portlaoise maternity enquiry and the aftermath in 2012. 'Unfortunately, the same avoidable failings, namely delayed delivery, inadequate CTG (cardiotocography) tracing and misuse of Oxytocin still remain as main causes of hypoxia in Irish infants in 2025. 'Also, in the year 2025 there are no cooling units to counteract hypoxia in infants outside of Cork and Dublin. 'It truly is a second-tier maternity system outside of The Pale. 'The family echoes calls by advocate groups to urgently review maternity care in Ireland. One cannot think of a more important right than the right to breathe and be protected at birth,' said Mr O'Malley. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

Hormonal Shifts Plus Sleepless Nights? Oxytocin May Help
Hormonal Shifts Plus Sleepless Nights? Oxytocin May Help

Medscape

time22-07-2025

  • Health
  • Medscape

Hormonal Shifts Plus Sleepless Nights? Oxytocin May Help

TOPLINE: Oxytocin appeared to influence mood disturbances brought on by the sleep disruptions associated with the dramatic hormonal shifts in the postpartum period as well as menopausal states, shedding light on oxytocin's potentially protective role in those times of mental health vulnerability. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-eight premenopausal women took part in two 5-night inpatient sleep experiment protocols — one under a normal hormonal state, and the other while undergoing estradiol suppression, mimicking the hormonal shifts of the postpartum and menopausal periods. After 2 nights of uninterrupted sleep, participants were subjected to sleep interruptions for the following 3 nights, with similar sleep duration in both conditions. They were assessed for serum oxytocin each evening and for mood disturbances, using the Profile of Mood States, each morning, in both estradiol states. TAKEAWAY: In both estradiol states, sleep interruptions were significantly associated with increased oxytocin levels (mean, 28.7 pg/mL before sleep interruption vs 36.4 pg/mL after; P = .002) and mood disturbances (5.5 vs 12.3; P = .0001). Meanwhile, higher oxytocin levels before sleep disruption were associated with reductions in mood disturbances the following day. Increases in mood disturbances resulting from sleep disruptions were also associated with increased oxytocin levels the following day. IN PRACTICE: 'Millions of women struggle with mood symptoms during reproductive transitions, yet treatments often focus narrowly on antidepressants or hormone therapy,' said first author Irene Gonsalvez, MD, associate psychiatrist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and instructor at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, in a press statement. 'Understanding oxytocin's potential as a natural mood modulator could help us better support women's mental health during these times,' she added. The study showed that 'oxytocin levels rise in response to stress-related sleep disruption, and that women with higher oxytocin levels before disrupted sleep experienced less mood disturbance the next day,' Gonsalvez explained. 'These results point toward oxytocin as a potential biological buffer during periods of hormonal and emotional vulnerability.' SOURCE: The study was presented at ENDO 2025: The Endocrine Society Annual Meeting. LIMITATIONS: The authors noted that mechanistic studies are needed to better understand the direction and causality of the effects of oxytocin levels, mood, and sleep disruptions. DISCLOSURES: The research was supported by the Brigham and Women's Hospital Connors Center WHISPR Award, the Dupont-Warren HMS Research Fellowship, and the National Institute on Aging.

Psychologist says 'emotional contagion' could sweep the UK this summer
Psychologist says 'emotional contagion' could sweep the UK this summer

North Wales Live

time18-07-2025

  • Health
  • North Wales Live

Psychologist says 'emotional contagion' could sweep the UK this summer

62% of people say they feel more hopeful when the nation comes together around a unifying event, with bouts of good weather and major sporting moments particularly potent for boosting national levels of optimism, according to research for the National Lottery. The arrival of a feel-good summer is timely as the research found only a third of Brits currently describe the overall level of hopefulness in the UK as high, amid macro-economic pressures and geopolitical instability. Expert and author in positive psychology Miriam Akhtar said: 'Humans are social creatures, so it's natural that shared moments, such as major sporting events, have a significant impact on national levels of hope. Optimism is infectious and like hope, these positive emotions spread through people in a phenomenon known as 'emotional contagion'. "So, when the country is celebrating a win or enjoying the nostalgia of Oasis playing again, it takes hold nationally very quickly. The broaden-and build theory shows that positive emotions such as hope and joy not only feel good but can actually do us good too, impacting the way our brains function. "Higher levels of hopefulness give the nation a DOSE of Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphins, enabling us to broaden our perspective and think more flexibly and positively. This means that they make us more open to new possibilities that can lead to positive outcomes.' The National Lottery has unveiled a series of fingers crossed installations to celebrate the power of hope in bringing the country together. The crossed fingers – the universal symbol of hope and optimism - stand at seven meters tall, which represents a meter for each new millionaire The National Lottery makes on average every week. The balloon-like structure has been suspended above landmarks including Natural History Museum, Old Royal Naval College, O2 Arena and Wembley Stadium. Over a third of Brits say they're more likely to book a holiday when feeling optimistic, while others are more inclined to apply for a new job, or even ask someone out on a date. Andy Carter, Senior Winners' Advisor at Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, said: 'The National Lottery changes lives every day. It's not just the person with the lucky numbers that benefits, it's also the good causes who receive funding and the shop keeper who sells the winning ticket. It all starts with hope. 'We're fully embracing this wave of optimism. For anyone who has their fingers crossed for things to go your way, we hope that seeing our installations brings a renewed sense of optimism and inspires you to believe it could be you.' The fingers crossed installations will be appearing across the UK in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales over the summer.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's ‘peak life experience' will melt your heart. It has nothing to do with AI
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's ‘peak life experience' will melt your heart. It has nothing to do with AI

Time of India

time08-07-2025

  • Time of India

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's ‘peak life experience' will melt your heart. It has nothing to do with AI

For someone who spends his days building the future of artificial intelligence , OpenAI CEO Sam Altman surprised many by sharing that his most profound experience has nothing to do with machines, code, or algorithms. In a rare emotional post on X (formerly Twitter), Altman wrote, 'Watching a baby grow is such a ridiculously great peak life experience.' With those simple words, he revealed a deeply personal milestone that brought to light a more human, vulnerable side of one of the world's most influential tech entrepreneurs. In February 2025, Altman and his partner, software engineer Oliver Mulherin, welcomed their first child. The baby boy, born prematurely, has been receiving care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Altman shared the news online, saying, 'Welcome to the world, little guy! He came early and is going to be in the NICU for a while. He is doing well, and it's really nice to be in a little bubble taking care of him. I have never felt such love.' — sama (@sama) From AI to Oxytocin Altman, who dropped out of Stanford at 19 to co-found the mobile app Loopt and later led Y Combinator before spearheading OpenAI, has long been synonymous with visionary tech, world-shifting ideas, and digital revolutions. As a central figure behind ChatGPT and other major AI developments, he is often seen as a futurist shaping the trajectory of human-machine interaction. Yet, in this moment, it wasn't a neural network that captured his imagination—it was his newborn child. His post sent ripples across social media, garnering reactions. Some applauded the raw sincerity behind his words. 'You're doing the right thing. Consciousness is a seed from which our souls grow: nurture it,' one user commented. Others took a more complex view, reminding of the irreplaceable bond between mother and child. 'There is an outrageous stress so apparent with a newborn and young baby when it can't be with its mother,' another wrote, highlighting how emotionally layered and challenging early parenthood can be. You Might Also Like: Has ChatGPT evolved beyond being a 'Google replacement'? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says it is already doing much more — sama (@sama) Recalibrating Priorities: What AI Can't Teach Us For someone who has worked on designing systems that mimic the brain's architecture, this new experience may be reminding Altman of something profound: not everything meaningful can—or should—be automated. The bond between parent and child, the fear that comes with uncertainty, the surge of unconditional love—these are deeply human phenomena that defy algorithms. Altman's post echoes a quiet revolution among many in tech—a slow but visible shift from glorifying hustle to honoring presence. In a space where late-night coding marathons and relentless innovation have often taken precedence, his public acknowledgment of fatherhood as a 'peak experience' is both radical and grounding. Beyond the Machine In a world increasingly dominated by digital noise and curated projections of success, Altman's honesty serves as a powerful reminder: life's most meaningful code is often written in the quietest of moments, in the spaces between ambition and vulnerability. And for a man who's spent his life teaching machines how to think, perhaps the greatest lesson now lies in simply learning how to feel. You Might Also Like: OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman thinks your child will never be smarter than AI. Why is that a good thing?

Is your pet's evolution a 'paw-sitive' surprise? Find out what you've been missing
Is your pet's evolution a 'paw-sitive' surprise? Find out what you've been missing

IOL News

time25-06-2025

  • Science
  • IOL News

Is your pet's evolution a 'paw-sitive' surprise? Find out what you've been missing

It's a dog's life for those that live with humans in cities, where gracing a doggie raincoat is part of the bargain of being man's best friend. Image: Yaroslav Shuraev/pexels Ever notice how your pet dog has got you taped, knows how to get its way with those uber-cute approaches and dreamy expressions? Perhaps you've even pondered whether your faithful furbaby is taking you for a ride with its manipulative prompts, side-eyes and pitiful glances at the door, telling you it wants to go for a W.A.L.K? Well, according to scientists, this is because canines are continuing to evolve to take on the ever-changing demands placed on them as man's best friend. They suggest that our canine companions are evolving in real-time right in front of our very eyes. We all know that today's domesticated dogs are quite different from the wild wolves that first ventured into human settlements, where they were ultimately used to hunt, guard our homes and livestock, and even retrieve geese that their owners have shot down from the sky. But today's modern household dogs have pivoted over time, acquiring new skills, intelligence and behaviours that make their existence - and that of their human - way more fun, rewarding and nurturing for all concerned. Gone are the days when dogs slept outside, come rain or shine, where their role was primarily to guard the family. Today, many live pampered lives in close proximity to the entire family, where it has become increasingly important for everyone to be tuned into each other - humans and canines. According to "The Brain Maze", a study by Sweden's Linköping University has confirmed what dog lovers have long suspected about their pampered pooches - the bond between dogs and humans is insanely biological, and it is intensifying over time. Their research shows many dogs in urban settings now recognise our human emotions, follow social cues they encounter, such as crossing robots safely by watching people walk when the light turns green. They also sense when they're needed to give comfort to a human when they're distressed. They believe we may be seeing the rise of a new evolutionary path, one where intelligence is defining their future, and not just basic animal instincts. The study says it all comes down to Oxytocin - the hormone responsible for love and trust, one which canines seem to be taking advantage of to seek help, show affection or make the most of whatever modern life throws at them. According to the study, modern service dogs are leading the pack, because unlike their ancestors, which were bred for guarding, herding or retrieving game, these dogs are biologically and behaviourally wired to be social and calm, and display amazing empathy to humans. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Daniel Stewart with his 'best dog in the world', Heera. Image: Supplied Dogs being all cute by fetching your slippers or flopping on your lap, exposing their bellies - something their wolf-like ancestors would never have done back in the day - knowing full well they'll get fussed over, kissed and possibly given treats. This advanced social intelligence includes their ability to understand human gestures, facial expressions and emotional cues - all made possible by the changed relationships between humans and their pets where they're often regarded as family, live inside and know how to live their best lives through their endearing mannerisms, quirks and tricks to get treats or attention. This cognitive aspect appears to be driving the changing behaviours of dogs that we encounter each day. Empathy and adaptability are the key traits that they've honed over time, and now the dog experts say our furry friends are entering a third wave of domestication. One reader of "The Brain Maze" article supported the theory, saying: "And Chihuas are at the forefront of this transformation! Our Chi's adore us!! and spend their days assessing and managing our emotions with empathy and affection." Another said her service dog "intuitively did the things I needed help with, like dragging me home when I get overstimulated in public (from autism)." But is it the dogs evolving, or is it the other way around? Globally recognised dog behaviourist, Daniel Stewart, who heads up KZN Animal Training, believes that a lot of these changes have come about by breeders selecting certain traits that are desirable to us. "I do not believe that dogs are evolving to be agreeable, I believe that we create them through selective breeding to make them more appealing for us. It is not always the fluffy, cute-eyed dog that we find appealing. Some people enjoy having dogs with an aggressive nature for protection or to project their macho image. "So, really speaking, is it the dog or is it human behaviour that is changing?" Stewart believes that our human behaviours play a large role where what we do, primarily providing the social cues to our pets, which they respond to, thereby creating a symbiotic relationship. "We are so far down the line from the domestication process, we have evolved and dogs have evolved so that they can be suitable to our environment because we consider ourselves as the apex predator, so it is more about adapt or die."

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