[attach id=254147 size="medium"]Aimee Abela, who died from bacterial meningitis in 2011.[/attach]

A mother of three recounted yesterday that hours after giving birth to her second child, her first died from bacterial meningitis.

Jacqueline Abela testified that her daughter, Aimee, had started vomiting three days before she gave birth to her second child, Niamh, in February 2011.

Seven doctors, who cannot be named by court order, are pleading not guilty to Aimee’s involuntary homicide.

The child was taken to St James Hospital where doctors said she was suffering dehydration and sent back home.

However, Ms Abela said, the infant’s condition worsened and her private doctor advised her to take Aimee to Mater Dei Hospital.

Tests found Aimee had an excessive number of white blood cells.

She remained weak but doctors said there was no need to administer antibiotics as she was suffering from gastric flu.

A day later, Ms Abela said she was called to her daughter’s ward to find the girl surrounded by doctors after she slipped into unconsciousness only to die shortly afterwards.

Lawyer Kathleen Grima appeared for Ms Abela. Michael and Lucio Sciriha and Joseph Giglio appeared for the doctors.