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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Narrative verdict on baby's death | Narrative verdict on baby's death |
| (5 days later) | |
| A coroner has recorded a narrative verdict on a premature baby who died at a month old. | A coroner has recorded a narrative verdict on a premature baby who died at a month old. |
| Jay Clarke died on 18 April, 2009, when his life support system was switched off, after being born weighing 4lb 10oz (2.1kg) at 34 to 35 weeks. | Jay Clarke died on 18 April, 2009, when his life support system was switched off, after being born weighing 4lb 10oz (2.1kg) at 34 to 35 weeks. |
| He had risk factors for sudden infant death, including his health and low birth weight, and damp accommodation, said Cardiff coroner Mary Hassell. | He had risk factors for sudden infant death, including his health and low birth weight, and damp accommodation, said Cardiff coroner Mary Hassell. |
| Ms Hassell said she would report to Cardiff council. | Ms Hassell said she would report to Cardiff council. |
| His parents had been prescribed methadone traces of which were found in his body. | |
| But Ms Hassell said the methadone was transferred from his mother during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and not intentionally. | But Ms Hassell said the methadone was transferred from his mother during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and not intentionally. |
| Ms Hassell also said Jay's hair was found to contain evidence of exposure to heroin, but she said that was as a result of passive inhalation of heroin smoke outside the family home. | |
| Jay's father, David Clarke, was also prescribed methadone, the inquest was told. But Mr Clarke had earlier told the hearing that he would not even smoke cigarettes in their flat, in the Ely area of the city. | Jay's father, David Clarke, was also prescribed methadone, the inquest was told. But Mr Clarke had earlier told the hearing that he would not even smoke cigarettes in their flat, in the Ely area of the city. |
| The coroner, delivering her verdict on Wednesday, stressed that the baby did not die from methadone or heroin toxicity. | The coroner, delivering her verdict on Wednesday, stressed that the baby did not die from methadone or heroin toxicity. |
| The inquest heard that at about 0700 BST on 17 April this year, Jay's mother Katy Benson woke to find him pale, grey and lifeless in his Moses basket where she had placed him. | The inquest heard that at about 0700 BST on 17 April this year, Jay's mother Katy Benson woke to find him pale, grey and lifeless in his Moses basket where she had placed him. |
| She called the emergency services but despite treatment, Jay died in hospital early the next day. | She called the emergency services but despite treatment, Jay died in hospital early the next day. |
| The coroner said that both during pregnancy and after birth, Ms Benson was issued a regular methadone prescription and Jay was found to have methadone in his blood. | The coroner said that both during pregnancy and after birth, Ms Benson was issued a regular methadone prescription and Jay was found to have methadone in his blood. |
| Ms Hassell said: "This was as a result of a combination of maternal transfer during pregnancy and breast feeding, not from intentional administration by another". | Ms Hassell said: "This was as a result of a combination of maternal transfer during pregnancy and breast feeding, not from intentional administration by another". |
| Poor housing conditions | Poor housing conditions |
| The coroner said that Jay's cause of death was not found during a post-mortem examination, but he had a number of risk factors for sudden infant death. | The coroner said that Jay's cause of death was not found during a post-mortem examination, but he had a number of risk factors for sudden infant death. |
| These included his parents being methadone users, that he was born prematurely and had a low birth weight, and he suffered from gastro oesophageal reflux, a condition associated with the presence of stomach contents within the food pipe (oesophagus). | These included his parents being methadone users, that he was born prematurely and had a low birth weight, and he suffered from gastro oesophageal reflux, a condition associated with the presence of stomach contents within the food pipe (oesophagus). |
| She said he had already experienced several apparently life-threatening events, and had been admitted to hospital twice after "apnoeic episodes" - an involuntary halt to breathing. | She said he had already experienced several apparently life-threatening events, and had been admitted to hospital twice after "apnoeic episodes" - an involuntary halt to breathing. |
| She also said the family's poor housing conditions were a risk factor. | She also said the family's poor housing conditions were a risk factor. |
| Ms Hassell said that the family - including Jay's 11-month-old brother - slept in one small double room together in a council flat. | Ms Hassell said that the family - including Jay's 11-month-old brother - slept in one small double room together in a council flat. |
| She said the room was at times cold with draughts, and there was so much moisture inside that the walls were wet to the touch. | She said the room was at times cold with draughts, and there was so much moisture inside that the walls were wet to the touch. |
| Ms Hassell said: "Black mould grew extensively over walls and some times onto clothing, which made the room and its occupants smell. This was not suitable for a newborn baby." | Ms Hassell said: "Black mould grew extensively over walls and some times onto clothing, which made the room and its occupants smell. This was not suitable for a newborn baby." |
| The coroner that she would be reporting back to the head of service, housing and neighbourhood renewal for Cardiff council. | The coroner that she would be reporting back to the head of service, housing and neighbourhood renewal for Cardiff council. |