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Inquest
Dangerous magnesium levels in baby food led to child's death
An inquest in to the death of a five year old girl finds that her baby food had a dangerous level of magnesium.
A BABY FOOD manufacturer has given evidence at an inquest into the death of a five-year-old girl.
Elaine Barrett from Claregalway died after suffering an ongoing illness since she was a baby. She had been born prematurely and fed with a specialist baby food, which was manufactured by German pharmaceutical company Braun, reports RTÉ.
An inquest heard today that the baby food contained levels of magnesium 120 times greater than was safe for consumption.
Consultant Paediatrician at University Hospital Galway Dr Kevin Dunne said the levels had resulted in the replacement of 99% of the baby’s brain with fluid.
Her parents Eileen and Frank Barrett said that they do not hold ill-feelings toward medical staff at UHG and the Holles Street National Maternity Hospital. But the couple have questioned why it has taken seven years to find out the full details surrounding the circumstances of their daughter’s birth.
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