A northern NSW toddler who was taken to hospital with a "suspicious" head injury had experienced "multiple episodes of trauma" before he died, medical experts have told an inquest.
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Baylen Pendergast, 22 months, died of severe brain damage after his life support was turned off in a Sydney hospital on November 30, 2013.
An inquest previously heard Baylen’s mother told hospital staff on November 22 she believed he had hit his head on the end of his racing car bed about five days earlier.
He was discharged but rushed to hospital when his mother found him unconscious at her Westdale home on November 28.
The inquest is examining the cause and nature of Baylen's injuries, his treatment at Tamworth hospital, and whether there was a failure to properly diagnose head injuries after he first presented.
It will also look at whether clinical staff took appropriate measures, including notifying authorities, as well as what caused Baylen to lose consciousness two days before his death.
The inquest began earlier this month in Tamworth and heard evidence on Baylen's injuries from a series of medical experts when it continued at the NSW Coroner's Court in Glebe on Wednesday.
Paediatric radiologist Kristina Prelog said a CT scan performed on Baylen on November 22 showed a bleed on the right side of his brain and a skull fracture.
The inquest heard a scan taken during his second hospital admission a week later showed more recent bleeding, or re-bleeding, in that same area, as well as another bleed on the left side and a tear to part of the brain.
Under questioning from counsel assisting the coroner Hament Dhanji, SC, five medical experts agreed those fresher injuries were likely caused by an additional trauma, or traumas.
The experts also agreed the two sets of injuries indicated "multiple episodes of trauma" at separate times.
Baylen's cause of death was brain injury from at least two acts of trauma, both caused by significant force, the inquest was told.
Dr Isabella Brouwer, who performed Baylen's autopsy, said he had "quite extensive" bruising to the back of his head in the area over the skull fracture, and "recent bruising" on his forehead.
She said it was difficult to say exactly when those bruises had been caused.
Paediatrician Dr Ahmed Khan, who was involved in treating Baylen on November 22, said he presented at hospital experiencing lethargy, nausea, vomiting, and black-outs.
Doctors at the hospital had described Baylen's head injury as "suspicious" and suggested a "social investigation", the inquest heard.
Dr Khan said he didn't believe the injury was suspicious as his mother explained he had fallen out of bed.
The inquest continues in front of Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee.
with The Northern Daily Leader
