Oxford Coroner's Court hears Wheatley baby's death was 'sudden'

AN INQUEST has been opened looking into the death of a ten month old child in Oxfordshire.

Marley Oakes, from Old Road, Wheatley, died on August 7 at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Oxford Coroner’s Court heard that the day before his death Marley had experienced ‘episodes of vomiting’.

The next day, coroner Darren Salter told the court, the child had been breathing abnormally in the early hours.

Marley was subsequently given CPR at his home.

An ambulance was called to take him to hospital, but sadly Marley was pronounced dead later that day.

A post mortem examination read out to the court declared the cause of Marley’s death is currently ‘undetermined pending further investigation’.

Mr Salter said the child’s death was a ‘sudden unexpected death in infancy’.

Marley had no medical history.

The NHS states that more than 200 apparently healthy babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in the UK every year.

Although that statistic sounds high, the NHS say the risk of it happening is low.

Most deaths happen during the first six months of a baby's life.

Infants born prematurely or with a low birth weight are at greater risk.

It is more common in boys and often happens when the infant is asleep, but can happen when they are awake.

A full inquest into Marley's death is set for April 21, 2020.

Parents who need help or support with bereavement can contact the Lullaby Trust on 0808 802 6868 or email support@lullabytrust.org.uk

Baby's death was 'sudden and unexpected'