MEDICAL blunders caused the death of a North Yorkshire baby who died three days after its birth, an inquest jury decided.

Fiona and Roger Martin's son Alfie, of Sicklinghall, near Wetherby, suffered hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (brain damage due to oxygen starvation) during his delivery by emergency caesarean section at Harrogate District Hospital on February 28, 2002.

His life support machine was switched off on March 2, 2002 at Leeds General Infirmary.

During the four-day inquest at Harrogate Magistrates Court, the jury heard how a series of errors meant Alfie and his mother received care "below the ideal".

Consultant obstetrician gynaecologist Dr Gareth Thomas, said lights should have been flashing and alarm bells ringing for maternity staff during Mrs Martin's labour.

He said errors included staff increasing Mrs Martin's medication to speed up contractions and not taking a foetal blood sample, which would have alerted them to Alfie's deteriorating condition.

On the day of his birth, Alfie was delivered at 11.46pm. But Dr Thomas said Alfie would probably have survived if he had been delivered at 10.20pm.

Dr Zakya Shukralla, who delivered Alfie, said he had been born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. Other witnesses said they could not remember this.

Dr Shukralla no longer works for Harrogate Health Care Trust.

In a narrative verdict, the jury ruled Alfie suffered oxygen starvation "as a consequence of actions which were below the ideal of expected standards of care which resulted in the failure to expedite delivery."

Mr Martin said he was devastated by the verdict.

He said: "A perfectly healthy baby died in their hands."

Mrs Martin did not attend the inquest as she is currently pregnant again. Since Alfie's death, the family have formed a charity in his name.

Harrogate Heath Care NHS Trust released a statement to express its deepest sympathy to the Martins.

It said: "Tragedies such as this are very uncommon and we would like to reassure local women that they can have every confidence in their local maternity unit and its staff."

Updated: 10:39 Friday, April 30, 2004