Mother Claims Baby Burned During Hospital Blood Draw

A mother is seeking answers after her seven-month-old daughter allegedly suffered a second-degree burn on her hand during a hospital visit for a rash and low body temperature.

Jaqueline Machado stated that her daughter, Liyana, was being treated at a hospital in Sydney's west on Monday night when the incident occurred. Machado said medical staff focused on Liyana's unvaccinated status, which she felt made her uncomfortable and fearful, especially when concerns were raised about a potential serious bacterial infection. Doctors recommended blood tests, to which Machado agreed.

According to Machado, a doctor informed the family that finding Liyana's vein might be difficult due to her age and that restraint would be necessary. After struggling to locate a vein with an ultrasound, a doctor reportedly placed a light under Liyana's palm to help find it. Machado recalled the light remaining in place for approximately 20 minutes, during which Liyana screamed. The mother believed the infant's cries were solely due to the difficulty in accessing the vein.

Later, Machado's husband, Daniel Rojas, a mechanical engineer, noticed a blister on Liyana's hand when another doctor came to collect a second blood sample after the first had coagulated. Machado claims the circular blister appeared to align with the position of the light used earlier. The family learned that medical staff sometimes use transillumination, a technique employing lights to locate tiny veins in infants.

Liyana was subsequently prescribed antibiotics for a suspected infection. Machado shared images of her daughter's hand on social media, describing the incident as having "f***ing broken her as a mother." The infant has been referred to the Plastic Surgery/Burns Unit at Westmead Children's Hospital for an assessment to determine the severity of the injury, with the possibility of surgery.

Machado expressed that she does not have significant trust in the health system following a reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine. She is now seeking legal counsel and wants to ensure parents feel heard and are not judged for their decisions regarding their children's care. Machado also called for better safeguards and training for medical staff using equipment on infants and children, stating, "I don't want another family to experience what we have experienced."

The Daily Mail has contacted the South Western Sydney Local Health District for comment.