Baby born at 25 weeks survives after intensive medical treatment at Shija hospital

IMPHAL, Jun 3
A baby girl born weighing 776 grams who survived a premature birth is all set to get discharged from Shija Hospitals and Research Institute (SHRI). The child was born through normal delivery at 25 weeks and 3 days on 6 March 2021. Fighting for life, she was immediately transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at SHRI after birth.
A press release issued by Shija hospitals said the baby’s chance of survival was slim as her vital organs were functionally immature due to prematurity. According to a report by World Health Organisation, about one million children die annually due to the complications of preterm birth. A child born after 37 weeks of gestation is termed as full-term delivery while those born before 37 weeks is termed preterm. Furthermore, one percent of babies are born before 28 weeks in India. The Paediatric and Neonatology staffs led by Dr Yaikhomba Taorem, MD (Paediatrics and Neonatology) went against the odds, including the pandemic, to save the infant.
The baby had immature lungs at birth requiring ventilator support right from the labour room. She was hooked on to bubble CPAP and Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) until her organs were functioning properly.
During her stay at the hospital, she developed stage III Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) due to prolonged oxygen dependence. Dr Romen Singh Keisham, DNB, Fellowship in Vitreo - Retinal Surgery along with Dr Yaikhomba did the required treatment and took care of ROP at SHRI.
The baby is now healthy and does not need any further hospitalisation, said Dr Yaikhomba, however, she will be monitored for normal neurological development. It is an exhilarating feat for the paediatric team of the hospital.
Dr Shangchungla Keishing (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) instructed the parents to take the child to the neonatal intensive care unit at SHRI immediately after the birth as the hospital has facilities equipped with the latest technology. She stated that the mother had a history of complicated pregnancies. With a history of two habitual abortions(recurrent abortion), the mother approached her during the third pregnancy, added the press release.
The previous two preterm babies were born around 25 weeks but failed to survive. Despite the prescribed medication and procedures to prevent premature contraction and labor pain, the mother yet again gave birth at 25 weeks and 3 days. Coincidently, the dearth of medicine in the locality (Senapati) led her to miss some medicine for 2- 3 days. The baby is the first child of the parents. She is all set to get discharged from the hospital but due to the devastating surge of the second wave of Covid-19 in Manipur and the baby being very precious, the parents wish to extend her stay at the hospital.
The parents and family are beyond excited and thrilled to see their child. “This is nothing less than a miracle and we cannot thank enough to Dr Yaikhomba and his team for all that they did to save my baby” said the elated mother.