KOLKATA: Days after a new mother died at Kolkata’s Midnapore Medical College (MMC), allegedly after being administered expired lactated Ringer’s saline, three women whose condition deteriorated along with her were found to have an injury acute kidney injury and required dialysis. These women were also given saline after cesarean delivery in the hospital. Two are on ventilation and the third is in the ICU.
The three were shifted to SSKM hospital late on Sunday. While the cause is suspected to be Ringer’s lactate, a 13-member committee investigating the case has yet to determine this. “The initial suspicion falls on Ringer’s lactate, but we need to examine other possible factors,” said one committee member.
Committee members said that while banned Ringer’s lactate was used, which was not ideal, the same liquid was used on other patients in other departments where it did not cause death or deterioration. Members said they will wait for the drug analysis report on the batch of IV fluid, which may take about two weeks.
Five women who underwent C-sections Wednesday at MMC became ill after the procedure. Mamoni Ruidas (22) died two days later and three are critical. The families alleged that their condition deteriorated after they were administered Ringer’s lactate, which is used to replace fluids.