Coroner Calls for National Guidelines After Six-Year-Old's Fatal Procedure Error

Six-year-old Amelia 'Millie' Ridout tragically died from catastrophic internal bleeding following a bone marrow biopsy at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, England, in June 2022. During the procedure, a pediatric doctor noticed warning signs of complications, but a consultant hematologist dismissed the concerns, advising the procedure to continue, which led to Amelia's cardiac arrest shortly after its completion. Her father, Matthew Ridout, has since struggled with suicidal thoughts but has channeled his grief into fundraising efforts for the neonatal unit where Amelia was cared for after her premature birth. Coroner Elizabeth Gray has called for national guidelines to be established for bone marrow procedures following the incident, highlighting the risks involved and the need for better protocols. Amelia's story has resonated deeply, with her father describing her as a loving child who brought joy to everyone she met. The inquest revealed that the needle had accidentally pierced a major artery, leading to her untimely death during emergency surgery.