Virginia hospital halts NICU admissions after babies found with ‘unexplainable fractures’

A hospital in Virginia shut down its neonatal intensive care unit after three pre-term babies were found with “unexplainable fractures” – more than a year after several newborns suffered similar injuries.

Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond paused all admissions to its NICU and initiated an internal investigation after medical officials made the disturbing discovery in late November and December.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are not admitting any additional babies into our NICU at this time,” the hospital said in a statement on its website, adding that it informed families, authorities and regulatory agencies of their findings.

“While fractures occasionally happen with pre-term babies since they lack full fetal bone development, we are actively working to determine how these fractures occurred.”

Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond paused all admissions to its NICU and initiated an internal investigation.Henrico Doctors’ Hospital

The medical center said the injuries shared similarities to an incident involving four babies last summer, explaining that they are taking immediate steps to enhance safety measures in the hospital wing.