A tragic incident unfolded as a young woman, Zoe Tighe, and her unborn child lost their lives due to a medical oversight. Despite making multiple visits to the hospital with complaints of lower abdominal pain, Zoe was never tested for pregnancy. Instead, doctors focused on treating her for a recurrent urinary tract infection.
Following her collapse at home, Zoe was rushed back to the NHS James Paget Hospital where she was diagnosed with sepsis. Shockingly, a scan revealed she was 14 weeks pregnant, but the baby had already succumbed to the infection. Zoe tragically passed away at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital shortly after giving birth to her miscarried baby.
During the inquest at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, concerns were raised about the missed opportunity to detect the pregnancy earlier, potentially altering the outcome. Zoe’s family’s legal representative emphasized the necessity of pregnancy testing during her visits to the hospital.
Zoe, a beautician from Lowestoft, Suffolk, had a history of physical health challenges stemming from ketamine misuse. Despite seeking help and rehabilitation, her health deteriorated, leading to frequent emergency department visits. Her mother highlighted the inadequate care Zoe received, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive assessment beyond her drug issues.
Tragically, Zoe suffered three cardiac arrests after giving birth, leading to her untimely demise. Her mother expressed regret that early detection of the pregnancy could have influenced Zoe’s health decisions and ultimately saved both lives. She called for accountability and improvements in healthcare practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The medical cause of Zoe Tighe’s death was attributed to sepsis, urinary tract infection complications, and a missed miscarriage, with ketamine misuse as a contributing factor. The ongoing inquest aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event.
