Kota post-cesarean deaths Spurious injection unlikely to cause infections say experts

Jaipur, May 26 (PTI) Medical experts have ruled out spurious oxytocin injection as the direct cause of deaths of women who developed post-cesarean infection following delivery at two government hospital in Kota.
     According to an official statement issued by the principal of the Government Medical College, Kota, investigations into the incident found that most of the deceased women suffered severe complications such as sepsis and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).
     The statement came after reports suggested that spurious oxytocin injection could be linked to the deaths. However, officials clarified that such claims are not supported by medical evidence or expert opinion.
     Officials said medical records and expert reviews did not establish any direct link between the oxytocin injection and the deaths, adding that there was no clear evidence to suggest that ineffective medication led to uncontrolled bleeding or caused the fatalities.
     Authorities said a total of 37 samples of medicines and medical equipment used in the cases were sent for testing to state and national laboratories. Most of the samples were found to be of standard quality.
     However, one batch of oxytocin injection (TOCIN) was found to be "not of standard quality/spurious" as it lacked the required active component.
     The state government and the drug control department have taken the matter seriously and banned the sale and use of the affected batch.
     Further investigation into the manufacturer, supplier and distribution chain is underway, and legal action is being initiated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
     Assistant Drug Controller, Kota, Devendra Garg told PTI that the oxytocin (TOCIN) sample collected after deaths and infections in the two government hospitals earlier this month failed the test. The drug was found to contain zero components, meaning it was devoid of active medication.
     However, this is not likely to cause post-cesarean infections and deaths, he added.
     Several women developed renal complications after undergoing cesarean delivery at NMCH and JK Lone Hospital earlier this month, reporting a dip in blood pressure and platelet count, and urinary blockage. Among them, four women died during treatment.
     Additionally, a five-month pregnant women, who underwent a uterine surgery at the gynaecology ward of NMCH also developed a similar infection, and later died during treatment.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)