Gujarat High Court Issues Notice; Petitioner Seeks Stricter Action
In Ahmedabad, a doctor is facing legal scrutiny over alleged serious lapses in antenatal care, including claims of misidentifying a newborn’s gender and ignoring high-risk prenatal test results. The matter has reached the Gujarat High Court, where the petitioner is seeking stricter judicial intervention.
The woman has alleged that doctors at a local maternity and nursing home failed to conduct essential screenings during her pregnancy. She claimed that despite repeatedly reporting symptoms such as low blood pressure, her concerns were dismissed as routine pregnancy-related issues without adequate monitoring.
According to the petition, a crucial Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan — considered important for early detection of chromosomal abnormalities and structural defects — was not performed. The absence of this screening, she argues, deprived her of timely medical insight into potential fetal complications.
The woman further stated that after pressing for additional evaluation, a Triple Marker Test was eventually conducted. The results reportedly indicated a high-risk pregnancy. However, she has alleged that the findings were neither properly communicated to her nor acted upon by the attending doctors.
She delivered the baby in May 2022, and doctors initially informed the couple that a girl with Down Syndrome had been born. After discharge, the parents noticed an unusual growth in the baby’s genital region and consulted other specialists for further examination.
Subsequent medical tests reportedly confirmed that the child was male. The baby was also diagnosed with multiple health complications, including two cardiac septal defects, pulmonary fluid accumulation, and epilepsy, adding to the family’s distress.
The petitioner has argued that had she been properly informed about the high-risk screening results, she would have considered termination of pregnancy in accordance with legal provisions. She later approached the police, a consumer forum, and the Gujarat Medical Council seeking accountability.
An expert committee formed by the council reportedly fixed responsibility on the doctors for negligence. However, the council allegedly issued only a caution to the practitioners. The petitioner has also claimed she was not granted a hearing during the council proceedings. The High Court has now issued notices to the concerned doctors and regulatory authorities, and the matter is scheduled for hearing on March 9.
