Boy sues over womb op deformity

The child underwent treatment as a foetus

A child born with a deformity after surgeons attempted an operation in the womb has launched a High Court battle for compensation.

Morgyn Peters, now six, was born with the bones of his left leg so wasted that the lower limb and the embryonic foot attached to it fell off.

Various invasive procedures were carried out or attempted at around 18 weeks

The family's barrister, Simon Taylor

His parents claim he was the victim of negligent treatment at the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, whilst still a foetus.

His mother, Alyson, was treated there in April 1996, and later gave birth in Buckinghamshire.

The negligence claim against the University of Wales NHS Trust concerns an investigation of the foetal urinary system which were carried out after tests showed an abnormality.

The Trust denies liability and the trial at London's High Court is expected to last five days.

Accused : University Hospital of Wales

No criticism has been made of Wycombe General Hospital, where the birth took place in August 1996.

Morgyn's counsel, Simon Taylor, said the case hinged on his treatment while still a foetus, when "various invasive procedures" were carried out or attempted at or around 18 weeks.

He told Deputy Judge Robin Purchas QC: "His case is that those procedures either ought not to have been carried out, or were carried out carelessly, and that injury has resulted from them.

"The injury is loss of his left leg from above the knee."

"Unnecessary"

He said staff at UHWl should never have carried out an initial "foetal bladder tap", and he also criticised the decision to carry out a kidney shunt operation.

Mr Taylor claimed the procedure was unnecessary and that it was "negligent to advise that it should be performed".

Another key issue in the case was the exact cause of Morgyn's leg deformity - although his lawyers argued it was caused by a loss of blood supply to the limb stemming from the kidney surgery.

Mr Taylor told the court that Morgyn's primary case was that neither the bladder tap nor the attempt at kidney shunting should have been offered or performed.