A baby boy admitted to hospital with bronchitis died after being in a coma for 18 months, an inquest was told yesterday. Lee Ho-yin, who died on May 13 last year, was admitted to St Teresa's Hospital on the night of October 19, 1999, with a sore throat and fever. He was examined by Dr Vincent Leung Tze-ching, who said he had bronchitis. Ho-yin was put on a saline drip, to which aminophylline was added. The baby vomited in the afternoon of October 20 and his parents asked the nurses to call Dr Leung. But the doctor did not arrive until after midnight, saying he did not get the call until about 11pm, the court heard. He treated Ho-yin when he saw he was convulsing. His parents criticised the hospital's late response to their request to call the doctor and transferred the boy to Eastern Hospital on October 21. Dr Leung, giving evidence yesterday, said he had given a below-average dosage of aminophylline because he was 'very cautious' when giving such medication to young children. The inquest continues today before Coroner Michael Chan Pik-kiu.
