Parents Seek Justice After 4-Year-Old Boy Dies Following CT Scan at PGH
The parents of a 4-year-old boy are seeking justice after their son died following a CT scan at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila.
The boy, identified as Claude Lenuxe Seasol, was from General Trias, Cavite. According to his parents, Cris and Cresencia Seasol, they brought him to PGH on September 28 for a CT scan.
The parents said the attending physician gave their son medication to help him sleep during the procedure. When his hand reportedly moved, another dose of the sedative was administered. His mother said the doctor assured them that the amount given was still within the allowable dosage.
After the scan, the medical staff called the parents to wake their son. However, despite calling his name and gently shaking him, the boy did not respond. His parents also noticed that his fingernails had turned dark.
Doctors reportedly tried to revive him and performed another CT scan, but he remained unresponsive. After around seven hours, he was declared dead.
According to his death certificate, the immediate cause of death was pulmonary edema, followed by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy as an antecedent cause. An adverse drug event, probably related to sedation, was listed as the underlying cause.
The family also raised concerns about an oxygen tank hose that they described as appearing damaged and patched together. They believe possible negligence may have contributed to the tragedy, although their allegations have not been independently established.
Claude had autism and had been receiving medical care for two years. His parents regularly brought him to hospitals in the hope that he would eventually be able to walk and speak.
PGH Director Gerardo Legaspi declined to issue a public statement but personally visited the family to explain the situation. He clarified that he went to their home as a private individual, not as a representative of the hospital.
The Seasol family is now consulting a lawyer to explore possible legal action against those they believe may have been negligent in their son’s care.
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