BABY GIRL BORN AT 22 WEEKS, WEIGHING 600 GRAMS,NOW THRIVING AND GROWING EVERY DAY
A baby girl born at only 22 weeks to Kuwaiti parents, who were in the UAE on a short break, is now showing positive signs of growth and becoming healthier every day.
Baby Noura was classed as an extremely preterm baby when she was born at Zulekha Hospital Sharjah, weighing only 600 grams – less than a litre of water. Three months on from her premature birth on 30 January, she now weighs just over 1.5 kilograms and is making steady progress.
Her birth was triggered by a urine infection in her mother, which saw her admitted to the hospital during their short vacation from Kuwait. Dr Nada Elsheikh, Specialist Gynaecologist and Dr Mohammad Nabeel Khalaf, Consultant Neonatologist were on-hand at the Sharjah branch and responsible for the safe delivery of the holiday-makers’ child.
Dr Khalaf said: “The first few days of a preterm’s life are crucial for its survival. Basic care such as warmth as well as treatment for infections and breathing were provided in order to maximise the baby’s chances.
“The infant was placed on a special breathing machine which enables a very gentle and fast airflow in order to protect her lungs.
“On top of this, we had to make sure the baby was handled in an extremely gentle manner regarding all aspects of his treatment. This was due to her fragility and the very high risk of developing intracranial bleeding or pneumothorax (collapsed lung).”
Receiving round-the-clock care from the specialists in the Zulekha Hospital Sharjah Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the team are now making preparations for baby Noura to return home.
Added Dr Khalaf: “The baby has been doing well and has had no major complications. Although it is still too early to predict for certain, chances are she can live a normal life.”
With a high mortality rate associated with extremely preterm births, The World Health Organisation estimates that 75% of deaths related premature births could be eradicated through cost-effect interventions.