Needle found in one-year-old’s body, family alleges medical negligence at Kerala hospital

A one-year-old girl from Kerala's Kozhikode region underwent surgery after a needle was discovered lodged near her right ribs, according to her parents' allegations of medical negligence at Kottayam Medical College Hospital. The needle was detected in July 2026 during a comprehensive examination at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, which subsequently removed it surgically.

The child resides in Chathamangalam, Kozhikode district, and was born at Kottayam Medical College Hospital in June 2025. Shortly after birth, she contracted jaundice, leading her to be transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Anju, the child's mother, noticed swelling near her right ribs after her discharge from the NICU, leading to her parents consulting doctors.

Despite being reassured by medical personnel that the swelling was minor and would subside with treatment, the child continued to experience frequent discomfort. In July 2026, the child's condition worsened, with severe pain and swelling near her right ribcage, prompting a visit to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. Here, scans revealed the presence of a needle near her ribs, which was subsequently extracted through surgery.

The family suspects the needle may have been left inside her body during her NICU treatment at Kottayam Medical College Hospital, as the child had not undergone any other surgeries or prolonged hospital stays during the intervening year. Anju also recalled seeing a pointed object near her daughter's body in photographs taken around the time of NICU admission.

The family has lodged a complaint with the Superintendent of Kottayam Medical College Hospital and intends to approach State Health Minister K Muraleedharan to seek justice over the alleged medical negligence. Hospital authorities have initiated an inquiry, with the superintendent assigning a deputy superintendent to investigate the incident, identify personnel on duty at the relevant time, and examine what transpired during the child's NICU treatment.

Hospital officials emphasized that the allegations would be taken seriously and that the facts would be established through a thorough inquiry.