A US radioligist has told a jury that a brain scan of a ten-month-old infant suggests a prior injury unrelated to baby shaking.
Dr Julie Mack was giving evidence via video-link in the trial of childminder Sandra Higgins who denies causing serious harm to the baby girl at her home in Drumgola Wood, Cavan on March 28th, 2012.
Dr Julie Mack, a specialist in paediatric radiology, gave evidence via a video-link from Philadelphia as a witness for the defence.
She examined CT and MRI scans of the ten-month-old baby's brain and found there was a possibility of a chronic condition and re-bleeding of an earlier injury.
Her view was that the scans suggested injuries more consistent with a bump to the head than baby shaking and that there was insufficient information to give a timing as to when an impact may have occurred.
The prosecution then called their expert witness UK paediatrician Dr Christopher Hobbs who said he felt he would have drawn the same conclusions as the consultant treating the infant that brain haemmorrhaging was a result of baby shaking.
The trial continues – mother of two Sandra Higgins denies harming the baby while in her care.
