NA hairdresser died of blood clot complications – autopsy report

Marissa La Gourdoue

An autopsy report has revealed that 24-year-old Stanleytown hairdresser Marissa La Gourdoue died from a blood clot disorder after giving birth to a premature baby at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Marissa La Gourdoue
Marissa La Gourdoue

La Gourdoue was admitted to hospital Friday after she developed complications and gave birth to a baby boy seven months into her gestation. She was initially discharged but reportedly developed complications during Friday night and was readmitted to hospital where doctors gave her two pints of blood and medication to lower her blood pressure.

A post-mortem examination performed by pathologist Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan yesterday revealed that the woman died from disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). According to online encyclopaedia Wikipedia, DIC “leads to the formation of small blood clots inside the blood vessels throughout the body. As the small clots consume coagulation proteins and platelets, normal coagulation is disrupted and abnormal bleeding occurs….” The blockage could cause disruption to vital organs and may lead to multiple organ failure which may lead to death, the encyclopaedia said.

The Berbice Regional health Authority (BRHA) had ordered an investigation into the woman’s death and while investigations are still ongoing, this newspaper understands that a file has been submitted to the Director of Maternal and Child Care Health office at the health ministry in this regard.