Rohan Godhania inquest: 'Woeful' gap in paediatric care and no neurologists at weekend

Sarah Kingsley Fried, who is representing the Godhania family at the inquest into the death of 16-year-old Rohan, told the press that the case demonstrated ‘a woeful gap’ between paediatric and adult care and that Rohan would likely have received a correct diagnosis had he fallen ill on a Monday. 

Rohan died in August 2020 at London’s West Middlesex Hospital after he had suddenly become unwell after drinking a protein shake. He was rushed to hospital the next morning with abdominal pain vomiting, a deteriorating GCS (Glasgow Coma Score) and increasing agitation. His condition deteriorated and he suffered a neurological episode that caused irreversible brain damage.

It was later identified that Rohan died from the rare disease ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, a genetic disorder that causes ammonia to build up in the blood.

The link was identified by an independent expert after the recipient of Rohan's organs was hospitalised with similar symptoms of seizures.

The inquest heard that Rohan was not seen by a neurologist at the hospital because none were on duty over the weekend.

Part of the ongoing investigation is also that Rohan should have been transferred to Charing Cross. Which has a dedicated neurology and neurosurgery departments but that the hospital could not take him because he was a paediatric patient rather than an adult. He was therefore denied access to vital emergency treatment due to his age. 

Following his death, Rohan's organs were signed off for transplant by a previous coroner, without the cause of death being known.

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