A BABY boy who died at a creche in east Cork may have died of sudden unexpected death syndrome (Suds), an inquest into his death heard yesterday.
Isaac O’Brien (18 months), Willowbank, Mill Road, Midleton, died at Little Angels creche on February 2nd this year.
Cork City Coroner’s Court heard the child had a chest infection the previous week, for which he had been prescribed Augmentin. His mother, Zoe O’Brien, said there was an immediate improvement.
On the day of his death, Isaac arrived at the creche at 8.20am. After eating dinner, he became tired. Shortly after midday, he was put down for a nap. He slept on his stomach with his head to the side and staff carried out regular checks on him. At 2.30pm, a staff member went to wake him but got no response. Staff began to resuscitate him but when GP Dr Hugh Doran arrived minutes later, he was not breathing and had no pulse. He was rushed to Cork University Hospital and placed in the care of Dr Jason Van Der Velde.
A food particle was found just behind Isaac’s oesophagus, which Dr Van Der Velde removed. He said it was entirely plausible this could have blocked his airway but there was no way of knowing for sure.
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster carried out extensive tests, but none yielded a cause of death. She suggested the death could be attributed to Suds. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane recorded an open verdict, as the cause of death could not be established.