Missteps blamed for failure to detect spinal defect during prenatal screening

A prenatal screening failed to detect a suspected spinal defect due to an irregular process in Huanggang city, Hubei province, municipal authorities said on Friday.

Earlier reports indicated the child's prenatal checkups were normal at the Huanggang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, but after birth, the child was diagnosed with a congenital spinal deformity.

A joint investigation team said a doctor surnamed Li did not follow ultrasound prenatal screening guidelines, did not obtain full-length sagittal images of the fetus' spine, and therefore missed the suspected defect.

Investigators found no evidence that records were altered or deleted, and the doctor lacked the required prenatal screening technical qualification certificate.

According to the probe, the hospital's deputy director, surnamed Mei, has been placed under investigation, and the head of the ultrasound imaging department, surnamed Gao, has been removed from the director post.

The doctor received a warning and has been reassigned.

The notice added that the hospital and the individuals involved have reached a settlement.