Bari Court orders new probe into death of infant after hospital infection

The Court of Bari has ordered new investigations into the death of an 18-month-old girl who died following a streptococcus infection contracted shortly after birth. Judge Ilaria Casu granted the 90-day extension for further inquiries after accepting an opposition from the child's family against a request by the Prosecutor's Office to archive the case.

The investigation focuses on two individuals accused of manslaughter: the mother's gynecologist and the head of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Miulli Hospital in Acquaviva delle Fonti. The child was born prematurely at 27 weeks via an emergency cesarean section in October 2022. While her twin brother survived with disabilities, the girl passed away in May 2024 due to brain lesions resulting from the hospital-acquired infection.

In addition to investigating the infection's transmission, the judge ordered checks regarding the timeliness of the diagnosis and prophylaxis of pre-eclampsia (gestosis). Authorities will evaluate whether the gynecologist properly managed known pregnancy risk factors and whether the hospital's management of the premature infant was adequate.