Seven doctors were yesterday charged with the involuntary homicide of a two-year-old girl who died from meningitis, which, a medical expert said, could have been identified had the proper tests beencarried out.

Despite the senior doctor having a team at his disposal, none examined the girl

The doctors, who deny the charges, appeared in court two days after Aimee Abela’s parents – Jacqueline and Carlo – filed a judicial protest claiming that their daughter died in February 2011 after she was wrongly misdiagnosed with gastric flu.

The parents also said in the judicial protest, which is distinct from the criminal case, that they had not heard a word about a promised Medical Council inquiry into their daughter’s death.

Forensic pathologist Mario Scerri yesterday exhibited a voluminous report containing his conclusions into the girl’s death.

Dr Scerri explained that although the symptoms of meningitis could be either completely absent or full blown, he was disappointed to note that none of the doctors had ordered a septic screen.

He said had the girl been given the proper medication she would have responded but this had only been done towards the end of her life.

The court-appointed expert noted that two of the accused were not actually to blame for anything and had acted professionally. He told police as much but the two were still arraigned.

Dr Scerri reported that one of the accused had actually included an entry in the medical file, making three observations on the child’s deteriorating condition.

The doctor wrote: “The child looks miserable, the child looks very miserable and the child looks extremely miserable.”

He said the girl was first taken to St James Hospital when she began vomiting.

She was examined, given medication and was sent home.

Subsequently, her parents phoned one of the accused, a senior doctor, who told them to take the child to him and he referred her to Mater Dei Hospital.

On admission, the girl was alert but her condition started to deteriorate.

A urine test was meant to have been taken but never was – although a form ordering one was found in the medical file.

Dr Scerri said that despite the senior doctor having a team of doctors at his disposal, none of them examined the girl.

Microbiologist Chris Barbara, chairman of the pathology department, testified that the microbe that led to the girl’s death was streptococcus pneumonia.

Such a microbe was common in the throats of young children and could invade the body.

He said that while an antidote vaccine was not offered by the Government, it could be obtained and administered privately.

A thorough blood test had been carried out and it showed the girl had a high white blood cell count but this could be indicative of inflammation or infection, he said.

Asked by defence lawyer Joe Giglio whether such information resulted from the post-mortem examination or when the child was examined, Dr Barbara said his explanation was based on the results of samples taken during the autopsy.

Questioned about a lumbar puncture – whereby fluid is taken from the spinal cavity – the doctor said this was a very risky procedure and could even lead to the patient becoming paralysed.

At the start of the proceedings, lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha and Dr Giglio asked for publication of the doctors’ names to be banned arguing that they would not be able to work serenely if they were identified.

Arthur Azzopardi, acting for the girl’s parents, said such a ban would mean the whole hospital would be branded.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona ordered a ban on publication of the names.

The case continues.