NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A Brooklyn family is dealing with absolute devastation a
ID: 140436 • Letter: N
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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A Brooklyn family is dealing with absolute devastation after their only child died following a fatal mistake. Their baby boy was taken to the hospital with just a fever and was given what turned out to be a deadly dose of medication.
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, the New York City Medical Examiner ruled the death of 6-month-old Amaan Ahmmad an accident. The ME said the death was the result of complications following administration of an adult dose of the antibiotic azithromycin, which is commercially known as Zithromax.
Instead of looking forward to a lifetime of birthdays, the family is now making funeral arrangements for their child. Ummay Sultana and Amain Ahmmad said their son became ill last Friday, so they took him to Brookdale, where he was born.
“He catch cold and we took him to the emergency,” Sultana said.
Hospital records showed baby Amaan was brought to the ER “alert and responsive” and with the exception of a fever, which was reportedly around 100, the nursing staff did not list any other visible symptoms.
But an examination led to a diagnosis of clinical pneumonia. Amaan was transferred to the pediatric unit and given a dose of the azithromycin through an IV drip in his right arm.
According to the nursing notes, at least 36 minutes passed before the hospital staff realized something was wrong.
CBS 2’s Jay Dow spoke with the parents Wednesday and asked the boy’s father who he blames for his son’s death.
“Hospital management, doctor, nurse—of emergency,” he replied.
“I’m like ‘look, look my baby’s dying! My baby’s dying!’ and then nurse came over and said ‘no, you’re baby’s pretty good. He’s sleeping,’” Sultana told CBS 2’s Sean Hennessey.
A copy of the hospital’s discharge summary states the child was given “Azithromycin (500mg), in error” — which led to “cardiac shock.”
Family pediatrician Dr. Suzanne Loiselle said that dosage is more typical for an adult and not a 17-pound baby like Amaan.
“Nobody can feel worse for the family than the doctors and nurses that were involved in this child’s care,” Loiselle said. “About 80 milligrams would be appropriate for a child roughly in his weight class.”
Less than 24 hours after the overdose, Ummay and Amain were told their son was brain dead. Amaan was taken off a respirator on Monday.
“They told us there is no hope because his head is totally collapsed,” his father told Hennessey.
Brookdale Hospital would not answer questions from 1010 WINS or CBS 2, saying only: “We are investigating the circum- stances of this tragic incident and express our condolences to the Ahmmad family.”
“I never think like that he pass away forever,” Sultana said. “I thought he’s gonna come back.”
The two first-time parents said they are both devastated and outraged over a fatal medical mistake that cut short their baby’s
life just as it was getting started.
2)
Dr. Loiselle indicated that the 500 mg dosage administered for Amaan is more typical for an adult and not a 17-pound baby. If a 500 mg of the medication is administered to an adult male of 190 lbs, what would be the
dosage (in mg/kg)? If the same amount of medication is administered to an adult female weighing 140 lbs, what would be the dosage (in mg/kg)? (6 points)
Explanation / Answer
2) An adult male weighing 190 lbs is equal to 86.183 kg. If 500 mg of drug is given, the dosage would be,
= 500/86.183
= 5.801 mg/kg
An adult female weighing 140 lbs is equal to 63.503 kg. If 500 mg of drug is given, the dosage would be,
= 500/63.503
= 7.874 mg/kg
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