Virginia hospital pauses NICU admissions after babies are found with ‘unexplainable fractures’
A hospital in Virginia has paused all admissions to its neonatal intensive care unit after a number of babies suffered ‘unexplainable’ fractures.
Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond, Virginia says staff discovered in late November and early December that three babies in its care had sustained injuries with no known cause.
The hospital said a similar incident involving four babies took place in the summer of 2023 and now an internal investigation has been launched in collaboration with the ‘proper authorities and regulatory agencies.’
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which takes care of critically ill newborns, has 40 treatment areas and the hospital delivers around 4,500 babies every year.
While hospital officials acknowledge ‘fractures occasionally happen,’ these fractures appeared to be cause for concern.
It has not been revealed where on the body the fractures occurred or if any complications or lasting damage resulted from the injuries. Details on any of the infants is also not available.
Investigators are reviewing video footage from inside the NICU to determine if there has been any staff misconduct or unreported accidents, but so far, no evidence of this has been found.
Additionally, Henrico police told DailyMail.com no charges in connection with these injuries have been filed against anyone.
A hospital in Virginia has paused all admissions to its neonatal intensive care unit after a number of babies suffered ‘unexplainable’ fractures
A statement on the hospital’s website said: ‘Out of an abundance of caution, we are not admitting any additional babies into our NICU at this time.
‘While fractures occasionally happen with pre-term babies since they lack full fetal bone development, we are actively working to determine how these fractures occurred.’
Preterm births – defined as a birth before 37 weeks gestation – have increased by 12 percent over the last decade, to 8.7 percent of all births in 2022.
And these babies are at a high risk of injury because they did not have enough time to form strong bones in the womb. These weaker bones are more prone to fracture.
Additionally, the use of certain medications to combat any complications from a preterm birth can contribute to low mineral content in the bones, making them more brittle and therefore more prone to fractures and breaks.
Fractures in preterm infants typically heal well when the babies are handled extremely gently and are given supplemental calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus, all of which help to fortify bones.
However, in rare cases – and depending on the type of fracture – further complications may occur.
A 2020 study found reports of fractures in premature infants are ‘inconsistent,’ ranging from two percent to 10 percent.
A fracture of the clavicle is the most common, according to a UK survey analyzing medical records from 2000 to 2016. This fracture is usually found in preterm babies born vaginally.
In a statement posted on its website, Henrico Doctors’ Hospital said it is not admitting any additional babies to its NICU at this time ‘out of an abundance of caution’ (stock image)
Local news channel WRIC reported the news has sent shockwaves through the local community.
Jaron Jacobs, whose daughter was born at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital on Christmas Day, said: ‘Something like that is really intense… It’s kind of scary.
‘[Babies] are harmless, they’re innocent.
‘Regardless of anything that’s going on – injuries – babies are the last ones that should be involved in any type of mishaps or mistreatment.’
The hospital said it has initiated an internal investigation and notified the parents and ‘proper authorities and regulatory agencies and worked collaboratively with them on their investigations.’
Additionally, the facility has provided video footage to the authorities and healthcare professionals are reviewing it.
The statement added: ‘The process is thorough and time-consuming, but they are making steady progress. So far during our review of the videos, no misconduct or accidental actions have been found.’
The Henrico Doctors’ Hospital also highlighted it has taken ‘immediate steps’ to enhance safety measures in its NICU.
This includes having all clinicians accompanied by an ‘observer’ to ‘help ensure all protocols are followed’ when they are carrying out newborn care.
Other protocols include in-person safety training for NICU care providers, performing additional exams of the babies in the unit, educating providers on interacting with minors and identifying and reporting suspected neglect or abuse, installing new security systems, implementing 24/7 camera recording of NICU rooms and live-streaming to allow parents to watch their babies.
Maria Reppas, who serves as the communications director for the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), told DailyMail.com the institution is working with the hospital on the investigation.
She said: ‘The health and safety of those receiving care in this NICU has and will continue to be our top priority.
‘VDH’s Office of Licensure and Certification, in partnership with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has taken immediate action to identify potential concerns and are monitoring specific corrective actions.
‘We are working closely with other state and local partners, including the Henrico Police Department and Virginia State Police.’
A spokesperson for the Henrico Police Department told this website detectives are working on the case and ‘at this time, no charges have been filed.’
Due to the sensitive medical nature of the investigation, they said additional details will be limited until the case is concluded.
Other agencies involved in the investigation include the Child Protective Services within Henrico’s Department of Social Services and the Attorney General’s Office.
