Nikita Buhse, 19, is seeking justice after her newborn son, Kiandro, died at 11 weeks old. Ms. Buhse alleges that a delay in her scheduled Cesarean section at Ipswich Hospital in Queensland, Australia, contributed to her son suffering hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), a type of brain dysfunction caused by a lack of blood flow and oxygen.
Ms. Buhse was 32 weeks pregnant when she was taken to Ipswich Hospital on February 23 after noticing a decrease in her baby's movements. She reported that two ultrasounds showed no fetal movement and that her baby's heart rate indicated fetal distress. According to Ms. Buhse, she was informed around 11 p.m. that she would need a C-section but had to wait because another patient required surgery first. Approximately two and a half hours later, she was taken into surgery, and her son, Kiandro, was born at 2:23 a.m.
The day after his birth, Ms. Buhse was told that Kiandro had suffered severe HIE and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. An MRI at a neonatal care unit on the Gold Coast confirmed he had severe brain damage. Kiandro required constant hospital care until his death on April 25.
"In my eyes, they have taken no accountability or urgency. I want accountability and justice for my son," Ms. Buhse stated in an interview with the Daily Mail. She believes Kiandro would still be alive if her surgery had not been postponed. Ms. Buhse has experienced nightmares and profound grief, which she said was exacerbated by a lack of communication regarding a potential autopsy. She stated she was not informed about the possibility of an autopsy until after her son had been cremated.
Kiandro is remembered by his mother as a hero who brought immense love and joy into their lives. "Kiandro endured much more than anyone else would ever have to," Ms. Buhse said. "He has a mum who loves him with her whole heart. A big brother that absolutely adored him and had to learn mortality through children's books."
Ms. Buhse shared her story hoping to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies. She has established a GoFundMe to raise funds for a memorial plaque in Kiandro's memory. "I want to ensure no other mother has to go through this. At only 19 years old, I held my son as he passed in my arms," she said.
A spokesperson for West Moreton Health confirmed that a clinical review is underway, which they described as standard practice for unexpected adverse outcomes in healthcare. "The death of a baby is an absolute tragedy, and West Moreton Health extends its sincere condolences to the family and their loved ones," the spokesperson told the Daily Mail. The findings of the review will be shared with Ms. Buhse upon completion. Ms. Buhse met with Ipswich Hospital officials but reported receiving no new information, stating she is saving her questions for the formal review process to elicit an unscripted response and seeking an admission of wrongdoing.