Baby Logan Scott Fergusson inquest told that his low oxygen saturation levels “very concerning”

An inquest into the death of a baby with “very concerning” low oxygen levels will examine whether his care at the WCH was appropriate, a court has heard.

A six-week-old baby born with a serious heart defect died in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital after his oxygen saturation levels consistently dropped to “very concerning” low levels, an inquest has heard.

Logan Scott Fergusson arrived at the hospital’s emergency department about 4pm on June 14, 2016, with oxygen saturation levels between 65-73 per cent, but an echocardiogram – which checks how blood pumps through the heart – was not ordered until the following morning.

An inquest into his death is investigating whether the WCH appropriately escalated his care.

Logan was diagnosed with heart defects before his birth on April 29, 2016 and was flown to Melbourne for heart surgery in his first week of life.

After his return to Adelaide he was discharged on June 3, 2016, but about 4pm on June 14, 2016, he was brought back to the hospital with symptoms including oxygen saturations of between 65 and 73 per cent.

Logan Fergusson at just a few days old. Photo supplied by family.

Logan Fergusson with his mum Celeste Fergusson before he died in 2016. Photo: Supplied by family.

Opening an inquest into Logan’s death on Tuesday, counsel assisting the coroner, John Wilson, said doctors set a low of 65 per cent for Logan’s accepted oxygen level. Overnight, 18 separate oxygen saturation levels were recorded.

“Of those … 13 of the 18 fell below the 65 per cent oxygen saturation modification that had been set, with the lowest recording being … 40 per cent,” Mr Wilson said.

A healthy person would have a level of 95 per cent or more.

An echocardiogram was not ordered until the following morning and revealed a narrowing in Logan’s pulmonary artery which required further surgery.

Giving evidence, then paediatric registrar Dr Alex Gordon said she recalled being “struck” at his low oxygen saturation levels on arrival at WCH. She said she was “very concerned” at Logan’s oxygen saturation levels when she next saw him the following morning.

He deteriorated soon after 11am and stopped breathing. Staff performed CPR, but he died shortly before midday. His cause of death was determined as hypoxia secondary to congenital heart disease.

Mr Wilson said the inquest would examine why Logan’s accepted oxygen saturation was set at 65 per cent and whether the investigations and treatment, including an echocardiogram, “were conducted and administered in a timely manner”.

It would also consider if there was an appropriate escalation of Logan’s care in light of his persistently low oxygen levels, “given that during the course of his admission until shortly before his death the cause of his desaturations remained undiagnosed”.

Mr Wilson said the inquest would not consider whether there should be paediatric cardiac surgery in SA.

In October 2020 12 clinicians signed an open letter criticising a campaign calling for a heart surgery unit at WCH after four babies died in four weeks until a safe, high-quality service can be assured “with outcomes equivalent to national and international standards”.

The inquest continues.

Celeste Fergusson, leaves Adelaide Magistrates Court during the coronial inquest into the death of her baby Logan. Picture: NCA NewsWire Emma Brasier.