Published on Oct 12, 2002
 

Cause of infant girl's death in Trang still a mystery; minister demands answers

Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan yesterday gave an investigation committee seven days to find out why a baby girl died soon after receiving a series of vaccinations.

Sudarat demanded to know the investigation results within a week but gave assurances that she would remain objective and consider statements from both the girl's parents and the medical staff who vaccinated two-month-old Ananya Kaewkul.

Ananya's parents filed a complaint yesterday with Sudarat during her official trip to Trang.

"We want to know if our daughter died as the result of the vaccinations," the parents said.

They said Ananya was vaccinated against hepatitis B, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio on Wednesday.

The vaccinations are conducted monthly by Tambon Bor Nam Ron public health office in Trang's Kantang district.

More than 60 children including Ananya received vaccines on Wednesday.

Ananya's father, Ekkachai Kaewkul, said his daughter underwent a check-up and was found to be a perfectly healthy baby.

"A doctor at the vaccination site told me so," he said.

After the vaccinations the medical team said side-effects were common and told the parents to closely tend to the baby.

"My daughter developed a fever on the evening following the vaccinations," Ekkachai said.

Ekkachai and his wife closely monitored Ananya's condition and finally decided to take her to Kantang Hospital, where she died at 4am on Thursday morning.

Kantang Hospital later sent Ananya's body to Songklanagarind Hospital for a further autopsy, as it was unclear why the baby died.

The parents have also lodged a complaint with police.

Doctor Suwat Thienthong, who headed the investigation committee, said the results of the second autopsy will not be known for another three weeks.

"We will also question the baby's parents and relevant public health officials to gather more information," he said.

According to initial infor- mation, vaccination procedures at Tambon Bor Nam Ron public health office are in line with standard practices.

Ananya was born as a healthy baby weighing 3.3 kilograms at birth. She was breast fed for over a month.

The Nation