Newborn's Head Knife Wound... Controversy Over Hospital's Concealment and Inadequate Response

According to KBS on the 23rd, at a hospital in Daegu, during a cesarean section on the 16th, a surgical knife caused a wound about 5cm long on a newborn's head, which was then stitched up without immediately informing the baby's parents. Photo by KBS News broadcast screen capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A hospital in Daegu has been accused of causing a head injury to a newborn during a cesarean section and responding inadequately afterward.

On the 23rd, KBS reported that on the 16th, during a cesarean section at a hospital in Daegu, a surgical knife caused a roughly 5cm wound on the newborn's head, which was stitched up, but the parents were not immediately informed.

According to KBS, the affected parents claimed that despite the wound being deep enough to require local anesthesia for suturing, the hospital did not provide any explanation.

According to KBS on the 23rd, at a hospital in Daegu, during a cesarean section on the 16th, a surgical knife caused a wound about 5cm long on a newborn's head, which was then stitched up without immediately informing the baby's parents. Photo by KBS News broadcast screen capture.

It was also reported that when the parents first met the baby, the hospital covered the baby's head with a hat, saying "the body temperature must be maintained," and did not show the wound.

The parents said they were informed only after 18 hours and appealed, "There was gauze next to the wound soaked in blood, and no one clearly explained the baby's health condition to me."

The surgical records from the hospital at the time did not include any mention of the wound on the baby's head during surgery or the local anesthesia and suturing.

According to KBS on the 23rd, at a hospital in Daegu, during a cesarean section on the 16th, a surgical knife caused a wound about 5cm long on a newborn's head, which was then stitched up without immediately informing the baby's parents. Photo by KBS News broadcast screen capture.

Additionally, the affected parents claimed that when they said they would transfer the baby to a university hospital for a detailed examination, the hospital pressured them to sign a waiver stating they would not hold the hospital responsible if they moved the baby.

The hospital later stated that this was done "out of consideration for the mother and guardian" and expressed willingness to take responsibility.

The baby will need to undergo multiple treatments for inflammation and scarring in the future.

The affected parents plan to file a police complaint against the hospital and the attending physician on charges including professional negligence causing injury.