A PREGNANT mother made the difficult decision to get an abortion after discovering the unborn baby was not developing a skull, an inquest has heard.

Shamima Begum's first few scans were normal, but a scan 20 weeks into the pregnancy found multiple abnormalities, such as a condition called acrania.

This is a condition where the unborn baby does not develop a skull and their brain is left exposed.

Ms Begum made the decision to get an abortion at Royal Oldham Hospital a short time afterwards.

Her son, Baby Begum, was born alive after a premature induction of labour, but died at Royal Oldham Hospital in the early hours of Monday, October 18.

The same month, assistant coroner for Manchester North Alex Preston opened an inquest into Baby Begum's death.

After an investigation, Ms Preston presented the evidence and made a conclusion at a hearing at Manchester North Coroner's Court in Rochdale on Thursday, November 25.

But before presenting the evidence, she said: "I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family. It is a sad death. It is always sad when a death involves a baby."

The inquest first heard from Bernadette Hatton, a police coroner's officer who spoke to Ms Begum.

Ms Hatton revealed that the results from the first few scans were normal, but that the abnormalities were discovered after 20 weeks.

She also revealed that the decision to get an abortion was made in the absence of Baby Begum's father, with whom Ms Begum was no longer in a relationship.

The inquest then heard from Dr Annabel Dieh, a consultant obstetrician at Royal Oldham Hospital.

Dr Dieh confirmed Baby Begum's condition as acrania, saying that it was 'not compatible with life' and that he died five hours and 25 minutes after delivery on Monday, October 18.

Concluding, Ms Preston said: "I have completed a record of inquest, which deals with the questions I have to consider in this matter.

"The medical cause of death is multiple foetal abnormalities, acrania.

"The deceased was delivered at 20 weeks following a planned termination of labour.

"The conclusion I have is that he died following a planned termination of pregnancy.

"Can I express my condolences to the family, and especially to Baby Begum's mother."