An investigation over the death of a month old child has found that catheter mishap has led to his death. During the investigation, investigators found that the catheter, which was attached to the boy child to feed him, broke down. As a result of the catheter mishap, the food got collected near to his heart.

The boy had been seeking treatment at the Sydney Children's Hospital. The whole incident took place in 2009. The young boy was born with a disorder called gastroschisis. In this particular condition, the internal organs of the child are located outside the body.

However, through surgery, the defect of the child was corrected. But after the surgery, poor digestion was experienced by the boy and therefore decision was taken of readmitting the child in the Children's Hospital on September 6, 2009.

After examining the medical condition of the child, it was decided that central venous catheter (CVC) should be inserted into the boy through a surgery so that nutrition and food could be provided to him. Although the doctors were in the favor of CVC, mother of the deceased child, Rebecca Elliott wanted doctors to use peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC).

While explaining her disinterest in using CVC, Rebecca said, "My understanding is that it [the surgically inserted catheter] runs near the heart at a time that it is being inserted into the vein". The doctors informed that they were unable to use PICC and therefore, the decision of using CVC was taken.

After one day of surgery, a nurse complained of complications in the health of the child. Doctors were called. But after few hours, the baby failed to survive. Although the investigators have found the cause of death of the little boy, investigation would continue to gauge whether or not the mother was provided with adequate information relating to risk involved in using CVC by the doctors.