4 newborn babies in Bac Ninh died of 'septic shock'

On the afternoon of November 20, the Institute of Forensic Science and Technology initially concluded that the cause of death of the four newborn babies was "septic shock".

The Institute of Forensic Science and Technology - Ministry of Public Security in coordination with relevant agencies conducted forensic autopsies on the bodies of the two children. The remaining two children were taken home by their families for burial, so no forensic autopsies were performed.

Initially, the Institute of Forensic Science and Technology confirmed that "the cause of death was septic shock in a premature patient with weak respiratory failure". The final conclusion must await the investigation agency's determination.

The four deceased children included two boys and two girls weighing between 1.6 kg and 2.3 kg, all of whom were premature babies born between 32 and 35 weeks and suffered from severe respiratory failure after birth. They were treated with incubators, ventilators, intravenous nutrition, feeding through a nasogastric tube, and antibiotics.

Bac Ninh Hospital transferred the newborn baby to Hanoi for treatment.

At a press conference the same afternoon, Mr. Nguyen Minh Hiep, Deputy Director of Bac Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, also acknowledged that "this is the first time the hospital has encountered this incident". Previously, the hospital's director, Mr. Le Van Nam, said that the death of 4 babies was normal because the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital is the province's frontline, focusing on many serious cases, with some days having 5-7 newborn deaths.

Mrs. To Thi Mai Hoa, Director of the Department of Health of Bac Ninh province, said that he will coordinate with relevant agencies to find the cause of the children's deaths, and if there are signs of violations, he will prosecute. Currently, all medical records related to the case have been sealed by the investigation agency.

Relatives of newborn babies being treated at Bac Ninh Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital wait in front of the quarantine area. Photo: Nam Phuong.

According to doctors, septic shock is a medical emergency, a severe manifestation of infection. When septic shock occurs, if the patient is not diagnosed, given timely emergency care, and brought out of shock, it will be difficult to treat due to cell damage and organ failure.

According to VNE