Fourteen newborns die at a public hospital in central Venezuela

The Ombudsman Office is delving into the cause of death of the newborns

Contrary to reports disclosed by other authorities, Rafael Isea, the governor of the state of Aragua, north central Venezuela, said that seven newborns died after hospitalization, adding that the other four deaths were due to different causes (Photo: Pablo Ramos / El Periodiquito)

EL UNIVERSAL

Thursday February 09, 2012 02:42 PM

Nency Villalobos, the Ombudsman in the state of Aragua, north central Venezuela, said on Wednesday that the government agency is investigating the deaths of 14 newborns at the Central Hospital of the city of Maracay (state of Aragua), a public hospital. The deaths occurred from Thursday, February 2 to Sunday, February 5. The causes of the deaths are still unknown.

"From the moment the irregular situation was detected, the Ombudsman Office has been monitoring the situation and according to our data 14 infants have died," Villalobos said.

He added that according to medical reports, the newborns were all underweight at birth, between 700 grams and 1,500 grams. They were premature babies, with immature lungs. Some of them had malnutrition. Several of the infants' mothers had in the past urinary and vaginal infections, which could have played a role in the deaths.

Meanwhile, Governor Rafael Isea said that seven newborns died. He said that the other four deaths were due to different causes.

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