Category: Birth Injury

Sodium Valproate Inquiry [2025]

The Sodium Valproate Inquiry in Ireland commenced on 22 July 2025, marking a major investigation into the drug’s historic use and its devastating impact on children exposed in the womb.

Death of baby at Portiuncala University hospital leads to new review

Portiuncula Hospital faces intensified scrutiny as a tenth external review into its maternity services begins, following a recent baby’s death.

Assessment of Needs for Children- Minister Norma Foley admits that we need to do better

The HSE has failed to carry out thousands of assessments of needs within the statutory timeframe, affecting children’s access to support services.

Unborn Babies Wrongly Diagnosed with Fatal Foetal Abnormality before Termination

Two Irish families allege they were advised to terminate pregnancies after being misdiagnosed with fatal foetal abnormality later discovering their babies were healthy.

Failings at in maternity service cost the State 320m between 2015 and 2019

A review by the State Claims Agency of maternity claims from 2015-2019 has revealed critical failures in fetal heart monitoring, CTG trace interpretation, and labour induction methods. Advocacy groups, including Safer Births Ireland, have called for an in-depth inquiry as concerns over maternity care persist,

External Review to begin at Portiuncula Hospital in light of concerns regarding the delivery of nine babies

Maternity services at Portiuncula Hospital are under external review after a concerning number of neonatal complications, including cases of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and stillbirths. The HSE has appointed an external management team to oversee improvements and ensure patient safety.

Mother awarded over half a million pounds in damages following traumatic childbirth

Mother awarded £575,000 after childbirth injuries left her with a permanent stoma and PTSD. Maternity negligence claims highlight systemic issues in England’s healthcare

Galway University Hospital apologises after baby is born “head first” on to the floor

Galway University Hospital apologises for shortcomings in care that led to Baby Chelsie McDonagh’s death after she fell headfirst to the floor during delivery.

External review into the delivery of babies who suffered Subgaleal Haemorrhages at birth in University Hospital Galway

A review of maternity deliveries at University Hospital Galway will investigate cases of subgaleal haemorrhage in newborns, focusing on difficult deliveries involving vacuum extractors. Coleman Legal LLP supports affected families who are seeking answers.

€15m awarded after Failings in after birth care

An apology has been given to a teenage boy after the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital failed to provide care to him after birth.

Irish children suffering with scoliosis utilising spinal rod support systems to be audited after product recall

Irish scoliosis sufferers equipped with the “telescopic” Magec System Model X titanium support rods will be audited and may need to have the rods removed as a safety precaution. Scoliosis is a condition concerning the severe curvature of the spine, affecting nearly one percent of Irish adolescents. The treatment is determined by the intensity of […]

Epilim Sodium Valproate Birth Defects

Sodium Valproate birth defects can be devastating for families and may result in full-time care requirements. This epilepsy drug, commonly known as Epilim, has caused severe birth defects in thousands of children worldwide when taken during pregnancy, leading to conditions such as spina bifida, distinctive facial features, and developmental disorders as part of Foetal Valproate Syndrome.