Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital saves the life of a child with severe congenital heart defect and transposition of the great arteries

Previously, in April 2024, from Tuong Duong district, pregnant woman LTK went to Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital for examination and ultrasound at the 34th week of pregnancy. At the Center for Prenatal and Neonatal Diagnosis, the pregnant woman was diagnosed with a complex transposition of the great arteries and ventricular septal defect. Obstetricians and Pediatricians consulted together to advise the pregnant woman on the most comprehensive and proactive plan to prepare for birth and provide emergency care for the baby immediately after birth.

On May 12, the pregnant woman K gave birth at Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. Immediately after birth, the newborn baby VNNĐ showed signs of purple lips, pale skin, poor feeding and was transferred to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. During the examination and postnatal tests, the doctors unanimously diagnosed the baby with severe congenital heart disease: transposition of the great arteries, patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, and restrictive ventricular septal defect.

Transposition of the great arteries is a serious heart defect that is present at birth. Transposition of the great arteries alters the blood flow, causing a lack of oxygen in the blood traveling from the heart to the rest of the body. Children face serious complications or death if not treated early. Surgery, preoperative resuscitation, and postoperative recovery for transposition of the great arteries are expected to be difficult.

With the coordination between experts from Hanoi Heart Hospital, along with the Anesthesia and Resuscitation team of Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, after more than 5 hours of surgery with many difficult techniques, the surgery moved the great arteries back to their normal position.

After the major surgery, the child continued to receive hemodynamic adjustment, mechanical ventilation, monitoring, and special care in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After 20 days of mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic adjustment, adjustment of acid-base disorders, electrolytes, antibiotics, and primary care completely isolated from family members, the child's condition responded to treatment and was able to be transplanted to the mother in a stable condition. The post-operative echocardiogram results showed that the child's heart was functioning stably. Currently, the child eats well, sleeps well, is healthy, and has been discharged from the hospital for home care, with a follow-up appointment scheduled.

The General Surgery Department doctor said: This is the youngest (13 days old) and lightest (2.5 kg) transposition of the great arteries surgery that the hospital has ever successfully performed. The newborn's life is the result of the harmonious coordination between the Obstetrics and Pediatrics departments in early detection during pregnancy, proactive treatment plans to save the lives of children with complex congenital malformations at Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.