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SCMP Reporter

A seven-month-old baby died after suffering a freak combination of ailments - believed to be the first documented case of its type worldwide - an inquest heard yesterday.

 Coroner Paul Kelly described Li Guo-keng's plight as 'probably unique' and recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

 At the hearing, the baby's father, Li Yuen-cheuk, 38, suggested a two-hour delay in re-attaching an intravenous drip after surgery at Queen Mary Hospital might have aggravated his son's condition.

 But the doctor in charge of the case told the hearing the delay had 'little impact'.

 Mr Li took Guo-keng to the hospital's emergency department on September 16 last year for treatment of an intestinal problem - intussusception - which is common in children, the inquest heard.

 After an operation to relieve the baby's condition, Guo-keng's health deteriorated rapidly and he died later that day, the court heard.

 It was discovered after the death that the baby had also suffered from a rare heart viral infection - lymphocytic myocarditis - which was the cause of death, the court heard.

 Dr Chan Kwong-leung, in charge of the boy's treatment, said there was no indication the baby had suffered myocarditis when he was transferred to the paediatric surgical ward.

 The baby showed symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea and irritation which were typical of the intestinal ailment, he said.

 Mr Li, a merchant, told the hearing his son was awake and appeared to be responding well after the operation, but 'it took an exceptionally long time for them to do that [inserting the drip]'.

 'I wonder whether the delay contributed to the death and prevented the baby from being treated properly,' Mr Li said.

 Dr Chan said the delay was normal given the baby's age and had little impact on the baby's chance of survival.



Baby died after suffering from 'unique' combination of ailments