High Court to hear evidence on giving anti retro-viral drugs to newborn
An emergency High Court sitting is to hear expert evidence today before deciding whether anti retro-viral drugs are to be administered to the child of an expectant mother with HIV.
The heavily pregnant woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons believes the drugs are dangerous, and wants to establish their safety before consenting to the treatment.
The HSE believes an early caesarean section and treating the infant with anti retro-viral drugs will reduce the risk of transferring the HIV virus from mother to child.
But lawyers for the expectant mother want to first establish the safety of the drugs.
They say there is evidence the medication is highly toxic, and has claimed lives.
Mr Justice George Bermingham yesterday called for today’s emergency hearing and said there was clearly a conflict between the child’s interests and those of the mother.
There will be expert testimony, including evidence via video link from a California-based toxicologist.
The judge is being asked by the HSE to grant an order allowing the drugs treatment to go ahead.
