Kyoto Prefectural Police have sent papers to prosecutors regarding a 50-year-old male obstetrician-gynecologist, who is suspected of professional negligence resulting in injury to a four-year-old boy. This case stems from a medical procedure intended to correct the breech position of the fetus, which allegedly caused severe disabilities to the child.
On May 9, 2025, authorities announced that the doctor, who previously worked at Kyoto Daiichi Red Cross Hospital, performed an external cephalic version on the boy's mother, a 37-year-old resident of Kyoto, on December 17, 2020. This procedure involves manually manipulating the fetus in the womb to turn it into a head-down position for delivery. However, investigative sources revealed that the doctor performed the procedure despite the fetus not being a suitable candidate for a second attempt.
According to the findings, the doctor delayed an emergency cesarean section after the fetus showed signs of hypoxia, which is a lack of oxygen. As a result, the boy was born two days later via cesarean section but suffered significant brain damage, leading to quadriplegia and developmental delays. The mother filed a complaint against the doctor last year, alleging professional negligence that resulted in injury to her son.
In response to the complaint, the hospital admitted to the medical incident, stating that a review concluded that an earlier emergency cesarean section could have mitigated the extent of the disabilities. The hospital acknowledged that the external cephalic version was performed with techniques that were outdated compared to more advanced facilities.
As of now, the obstetrician-gynecologist is employed at another hospital, and the police investigation continues. The case has raised significant concerns regarding the standards of medical care provided during such procedures and the implications of negligence in obstetric practice.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about patient safety and the responsibilities of medical professionals in Japan. The family of the affected child is seeking justice and accountability for the alleged negligence that has profoundly impacted their lives.
In a statement made to the Yomiuri Shimbun last year, Kyoto Daiichi Red Cross Hospital acknowledged the occurrence of a medical error and expressed their commitment to preventing such incidents in the future.
