Ear Piercing Turns Fatal: 6-Month-Old Infant Dies from Anesthesia Overdose

A routine ear-piercing procedure turned into a tragedy when a six-month-old baby lost his life after being administered anesthesia at Bommalapura Primary Health Centre in Chamarajanagar district on Monday. The incident has sparked outrage, with the grieving parents accusing the attending doctor of negligence and demanding immediate action.

According to reports, the child's parents, Anand and Shubha, residents of Hangala village, took their son to the government health center for the traditional ear-piercing ritual. However, after the doctor injected anesthesia into both ear lobes, the infant reportedly lost consciousness. Alarmed, the parents rushed him to a nearby taluk hospital, but doctors there declared him dead upon arrival.

Devastated by their loss, the family holds the anesthesia responsible for the child’s sudden death and has accused the doctor of failing to follow proper medical protocols. They further alleged that the doctor charged ₹200 for the procedure and are demanding his dismissal along with appropriate compensation.

Speaking on the matter, Taluk Health Officer Dr. Aleem Pasha stated, "The anesthesia was administered to minimize pain during the procedure. However, the child developed convulsions and did not survive. The exact cause of death will be confirmed after a post-mortem examination. If negligence is established, a report will be forwarded to higher authorities recommending action against the doctor."

This tragic case has once again raised concerns about the risks associated with anesthesia, especially in minor medical procedures. Similar incidents have been reported in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulations.

Last year, in Hyderabad, a seven-year-old boy named Adan Michael lost his life allegedly due to an anesthesia overdose during a throat surgery at a private hospital. In another case in Malappuram, a four-year-old boy died under similar circumstances.

Authorities are now investigating the Bommalapura incident to determine whether medical protocols were properly followed. The case has intensified discussions about the necessity of stronger oversight and guidelines for the administration of anesthesia, particularly in non-critical medical procedures.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)