Woman died after pregnancy test

Antenatal test went tragically wrong

A pregnant woman died after she was infected by a deadly form of E. coli bacteria during a routine antenatal test.

Warrington Coroners Court heard that Jane McCarthy, 33, fell ill after undergoing an amniocentesis test in May 2000.

She is believed to be only the second person to die after contracting E. coli infection in this way.

The amniocentesis test allows doctors to determine whether a baby is at risk of genetic disorders by analysing fluid taken from around the developing foetus.

Gynaecological expert Michael McCormack told the inquest it was likely the E. coli had got into Mrs McCarthy's abdomen when the amniocentesis needle accidentally perforated her bowel.

But he added that it was also possible it may have happened when the needle pierced the amniotic sac.

Mrs McCarthy, of Great Sankey, Warrington, was admitted to casualty after complaining of labour pains just three hours after undergoing the procedure at Warrington General Hospital.

No blood tests

Her husband Paul told the inquest no blood tests were taken on his wife and that she was sent away with paracetamol.

But the next day after vomiting several times, Mrs McCarthy was readmitted to the hospitals A&E department where doctors diagnosed sceptic shock.

Blood tests revealed the bacteria E. coli was beginning to take a hold of her body and she began to miscarry her unborn child.

In the early hours of the next morning she suffered a heart attack and was resuscitated and stabilised before being admitted to intensive care.

After discovering fluid in her abdomen, doctors decided to operate on her a few hours later but she died in the theatre, within minutes of surgery beginning.

Mr Ezzat Kozman, a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, told the court he had tried to perform the amniocentesis test twice.

But he said it was difficult because there was an unusually small amount of amniotic fluid and one of the samples was blood stained.

He abandoned the procedure and advised Mrs McCarthy to return for a check up in five days.

'Swept along'

Mr McCarthy told the court that his wife had been given no chance to discuss whether or not to undergo amniocentesis before she was booked in for the test.

Mr McCormack said although there were unusual signs during the amniocentesis test, it was normal for the doctor to see her again in five days.

The consultant, who practices at the Countess of Chester Hospital, was called to the inquest as an independent expert witness after examining Mrs McCarthy's notes.

He said he could be sure beyond reasonable doubt that Mrs McCarthy was inoculated by the E. coli bacteria during the amniocentesis test.

Cheshire coroner Nicholas Rheinberg concluded that Mrs McCarthy died from a cardiac arrest caused by septic shock, which in turn was caused by the amniocentesis procedure.

He recorded a verdict of misadventure.