Needle allegedly left inside newborn: Child Rights Commission registers case in Kottayam

Kottayam: The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has registered a case over allegations that a needle was left inside the body of a newborn girl during treatment at Kottayam Medical College Hospital in 2025.

The medical college has also appointed a three-member panel to investigate the allegations made by the child's family.

Child Rights Commission seeks reports

Acting Chairperson Cicily Joseph registered the case on Saturday, according to an official release issued in Thiruvananthapuram.

The commission has decided to seek reports from the Kottayam District Police Superintendent and the hospital superintendent as part of its inquiry.
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Three-member panel appointed

Kottayam Medical College has formed a three-member committee to examine the allegations.

The panel is headed by Medical College Deputy Superintendent Dr Frederike Paul. Dr R Beena Kumari, Head of the Department of Gynaecology, and Dr Binny John, Head of the Department of General Surgery, are the other members.

The committee will examine the allegations raised by the child's family in detail.

Family alleges needle left during treatment

According to the family, the needle was found inside the body of their younger daughter, nearly a year after her birth.

Anju gave birth to the child at Kottayam Medical College Hospital on June 24, 2025. The baby was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) the following day after developing fever and symptoms of jaundice.

The family has alleged that the needle was left inside the child's body during her treatment at the hospital.
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Needle detected in July

The family said the needle was detected near the child's right ribs during an examination at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital in July 2026.

It was subsequently removed through surgery, according to the family.

The Child Rights Commission's case and the medical college's inquiry will now examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident.