A paediatrician says a baby’s fractured ribs, allegedly caused by a prominent sportsman, indicated an "inflicted injury".
The man, who has interim name suppression, is on trial in the Dunedin District Court after he pleaded not guilty to wounding with reckless disregard and an alternative charge of assault.
The Crown case is that the defendant applied a squeezing or crushing force to the child’s torso during a moment of frustration while the infant’s mother was at the gym in July 2023, but the defence has argued there are other explanations for the injuries.
Yesterday, a paediatrician who saw the baby in the hospital gave evidence.
The baby’s mother brought him in when she noticed "cracking and popping" noises in the baby’s chest.
The paediatrician noticed "clicking" and a "bubbly feel", especially when touching under the baby’s arm.
When she examined the baby he was "very upset and constantly crying", she said.
X-rays revealed the baby had multiple rib fractures on both sides.
The fractures were "acute", meaning they had occurred in the past 10 days, the paediatrician said.
"It’s not what you see with normal handling of babies ... it requires strong force," she said.
"The injuries are therefore indicative of inflicted injury," her statement to police concluded.
She inquired with a radiologist about the baby’s bone density and whether the injuries could have occurred because of an underlying condition.
There was no evidence of rickets or any other bone issues, she said.
Blood tests showed he had a slightly high level of calcium but "moderate to severe" vitamin D deficiencies.
She asked the baby’s mother if the baby had suffered any trauma, but she did not believe he had.
"When an injury is unexplained then we have to seriously consider it being a non-accidental injury," the witness said.
"My conclusion is that the force would have to be much more than what force you would use for normal day-to-day handling of a baby this age."
The fractured ribs were not externally visible and no bruising developed while the baby was in hospital, the witness said.
Earlier in the day, the midwife who helped deliver the baby was asked if there were any difficulties with the birth that might have caused injuries.
She said the birth was quick, and there would have been pressure on the baby during contractions.
But the baby came out freely and easily and routine checks did not reveal any injuries, she said.
Judge David Robinson is presiding over the trial, which is expected to last at least two weeks.
