A heartbreaking medical mistake has sparked outrage after a premature baby died when she was given a massive overdose of the wrong medication at a hospital.
Three-week-old Sidra Aliabase died after doctors at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London mistakenly administered a drug at five times the recommended dose. The medication error went unnoticed for more than 16 hours before staff realized something was wrong.
By then, Sidra’s condition had already begun to rapidly deteriorate.
The baby was born extremely premature at just 27 weeks on April 19, 2024, delivered by emergency C-section. Because of her early arrival, she was placed in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.
During her second week of life, Sidra developed sepsis, a serious infection that can be life-threatening for newborns.
On May 8, doctors intended to prescribe sodium chloride to treat low sodium levels. Instead, she was mistakenly given sodium acid phosphate — a drug typically used to treat high calcium levels.
Not only was the wrong medication prescribed, but Sidra was also given roughly five times the proper dose.
The overdose caused her calcium levels and heart rate to drop dangerously low.
Her condition was further complicated by long QT syndrome, a genetic heart condition that can cause dangerously irregular heart rhythms. Doctors were already aware Sidra had about a 50 percent chance of developing the condition because her mother and two sisters also have it.
Despite that risk, no plan was put in place to speed up testing for the condition after she was born.
A coroner’s report later revealed that the dangerously low calcium levels showed up in blood tests around 2 a.m. the following day. However, the warning signs were missed by medical staff for more than 16 hours.
During that time, Sidra continued receiving the medication.
The hospital pharmacy eventually raised concerns around 3 p.m. after the fourth dose had already been given. Although the dosage was lowered, it was not stopped completely at first.
Even then, the prescribing mistake was not immediately communicated to the senior consultant overseeing Sidra’s care.
Doctors finally discovered the error later that evening around 6:20 p.m. Corrective treatment began about an hour later, but it was too late.
Sidra’s condition continued to worsen, and she died just after midnight on May 10.
The official cause of death included severe calcium deficiency caused by medical treatment, long QT syndrome, and complications related to her extreme prematurity.
Following the tragedy, Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox issued a warning about the failures that led to Sidra’s death.
She described the prescribing error as a breakdown in basic medical care and said multiple opportunities were missed to catch the mistake earlier.
“There were multiple missed opportunities to recognize the prescribing error and overdose and its effects in a timely fashion,” the coroner said.
Hospital officials expressed sympathy to Sidra’s family and said they are reviewing what happened.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Sidra’s family,” a spokesperson for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital said. “Our priority is always to provide the highest standard of care, and we are reviewing the circumstances to improve patient safety.”
Specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital, who were consulted about Sidra’s heart condition, also said they will review the case to understand what more could have been done.
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