Doctor failed to see baby had one leg

A doctor has been reprimanded after he failed to pick up in four pregnancy scans that an unborn child had only one leg.

To the horror of the child's parents, their son was born with his right leg missing.

In an investigation of the case, Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson found the doctor - a radiologist who has not been named - had breached the Code of Consumers' Rights.

He also criticised the doctor for failing to detect a missing blood vessel in the umbilical cord, a finding that could have raised suspicion of other foetal abnormalities. In independent expert advice, diagnostic radiologist Dr Robert Sim said the case revealed "significantly deficient" observation skills and a "serious departure" from reasonable professional standards.

The boy was born in July 2000 by emergency Caesarean section because his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck.

Mr Paterson said in his report that the boy's parents were "understandably shocked" when he was born and would have asked whanau and friends to be there if they had known what to expect.

The parents described their deep sense of grief in their letter of complaint to Mr Paterson.

"We have been thrust into the 'disability world' and were not able to prepare or ready ourselves for this and it has caused problems, obstacles and heartache," they said.

The doctor has since apologised to the parents, reviewed his practice and promised to spend two weeks watching other radiologists perform obstetric ultrasound.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY