She had an extreme case of spina bifida that left her paralysed below the waist, and she had a brain malformation marked by hydrocephalus that meant she was most likely mentally disabled and would have seizures.
[3] Neonatal physician Peter Loughnan informed her parents of their daughter's poor outlook and the low quality of life she would face if she survived.
[2] In addition to media and public attention, the case was particularly unique as the medical practice of withdrawing life-saving treatment from the baby lacked "explicit legal backing" in Australia.
In actuality, in a similar 1986 case, Justice Frank Vincent of the Supreme Court of Victoria ordered the same hospital to take "all necessary means" to save a nine-day-old baby boy with spina bifida.
It once again brought the case to the public, which prompted the Victorian Law Reform Commission to introduce new guidelines for doctors and parents in dealing with disabled and sick newborn babies.