Doctor reveals details about infant’s death in hospital: 2-month-old weighed under 2 kg

A doctor at Kaunas Clinics has provided further details about the death of a 2-month-old girl who was brought to the hospital from Ukmergė in critical condition, LRT.lt reports.

Martynas Žemaitis, a doctor in the hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, told journalists that the infant was admitted in early July in a state of severe exhaustion, weighing just under 2 kg with virtually no subcutaneous fat. Her condition was serious, with malnutrition suspected as the cause.

According to the doctor, there was no prior medical record of the child having Patau syndrome, a severe genetic disorder. The diagnosis was only confirmed after her admission, though some symptoms were immediately visible, including a cleft lip. “With such a serious genetic condition, comprehensive care is required. There are often complications and life-threatening disruptions that need to be managed,” Žemaitis said.

He noted that 90% of infants with Patau syndrome do not survive past their first year, with many living only a few weeks. The doctor also confirmed that child protection services were contacted due to suspicions of possible neglect.

Following discussions, the family agreed to treatment for the child. Žemaitis added that Patau syndrome is not always diagnosed during pregnancy, depending on various circumstances, including the specialists consulted by expectant mothers.

Child protection authorities have faced criticism on social media for not removing the children from the family sooner. The State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service explained that the decision to take the children from an unsafe environment was made on July 27, but the family was only informed the next day—after the infant had already died in the hospital on July 26.

Lina Baranauskienė, head of the Vilnius County Child Rights Division, stated that while parents’ beliefs and values are their own choice, a child’s right to proper treatment and life must be ensured. “Even if a child has an incurable disease, they have the right to receive necessary care to avoid suffering. For every child, parental love and closeness are crucial, but timely assistance is especially vital when it comes to an infant’s health,” she said.

Baranauskienė acknowledged that dialogue with the parents had not been successful but emphasized that they are still being invited to cooperate and work together to find a solution.