Baby

According to the Recorded Live Births 2021 report released by Statistics South Africa on Monday, almost one million births occurred in 2021. Photo: Pixabay.

RK Khan staff praised for delivering premature baby weighing 685g

RK Khan Hospital staff in Chatsworth have been praised for delivering a premature baby who weighed just 685g.

Baby

According to the Recorded Live Births 2021 report released by Statistics South Africa on Monday, almost one million births occurred in 2021. Photo: Pixabay.

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has congratulated doctors and nurses at RK Khan Hospital for going all-out to save the life of a prematurely born neonate who entered the world at six months (25 – 26 weeks), weighing just 685g.

Generally, babies born at such an early age have a compromised chance of survival as they are particularly fragile, with lungs that are under-developed, making it difficult for them to get enough oxygen. They are also prone to infections, asthma, feeding problems, neurological disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, and eye-related ailments, among others.

RK KHAN DOCTORS AND NURSES SAVE PREMATURE BABY 

According to the KZN Health Department  so far the baby, who has been named Khantso (She who brings light) and Ntandoyenkosi (God’s will), is thriving.

Although she remains a neonate at high risk for complications, she has shown signs of good neurological and all-round development.  

The baby’s 23 year-old mother Londiwe Dlomo – who has had two previously unsuccessful pregnancies had nothing but praise and words of sincere gratitude for the staff of RK Khan Hospital for saving her daughter’s life.

The baby was reportedly managed over a 63-day stay in the neonatal ward, from admission on 15 March until her discharge on 20 May 2022, now weighing 1800g. 

MIRACLE BABY’ TO BE MONITORED FOR GROWTH

RK Khan CEO Dr Linda Sobekwa said the baby’s mother had attended 6 ante-natal visits 

“Her baby was born prematurely on the 16th of March and was stabilised in the labour ward and admitted to the neonatal unit immediately after birth. 

“She was provided with oxygen, warmth in an incubator, and intravenous fluids through a central umbilical vein. A number of other principles of management of extremely low birthweight babies were adhered to during admission to ensure survival.”

Dr Linda Sobekwa

Khantso will be monitored weekly at her local clinic until a weight of 2500g is reached, and is due to return to RK Khan Hospital’s Paediatric Outpatient Department.

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