The miraculous survival of a premature baby girl weighing only 600g.

(Baonghean.vn) - To date, more than 3 months after being born at Nghe An General Hospital, baby girl Dang Nguyen Bao Tram, born prematurely at 24 weeks and weighing 600g, has developed healthily, gaining weight to 2.7kg and breastfeeding well.

In mid-April, Nguyen Thi Hoa (26 years old, Nghi Trung, Nghi Loc, Nghe An), a pregnant woman six months into her second pregnancy, experienced excruciating abdominal pain. Her family immediately rushed her to the Nghe An General Hospital for emergency treatment. Doctors quickly diagnosed her condition as amniotic fluid deficiency, threatening miscarriage. By the afternoon of April 18th, she showed signs of labor, so the doctors decided to assist her in a natural delivery at only 24 weeks of gestation. The delivery was successful, and at 7 PM on April 18th, 2015, a baby girl weighing 600g was born.

Baby Bao Tram received special care at the hospital after her birth.

“Because the baby was born 14 weeks premature, the newborn was extremely weak and suffered severe respiratory distress immediately after birth, with labored breathing, irregular heartbeat, and very weak neonatal reflexes. The doctors immediately transferred the baby to the Neonatal Unit, where respiratory support via nCPAP (nasal cannula) was prescribed, along with intensive resuscitation treatment,” Dr. Tran Thi Thuy Ha from the Obstetrics Department stated.

In the ward, the baby's overall condition was monitored via a monitor, and she was on mechanical ventilation and exclusively fed intravenously through the umbilical cord for the first 6 days. On the 3rd day, the baby showed signs of physiological jaundice, so the doctors ordered blood tests and decided to put her on continuous phototherapy. After 1 week, a nasogastric tube was inserted, and she was fed breast milk 24/7 using an infusion pump.

Throughout more than a month of treatment, the baby experienced numerous episodes of physiological apnea, threatening her life. The Neonatal Unit assigned medical staff to closely monitor the baby's condition and provide timely intervention. Gradually, the baby improved and was able to be exclusively breastfed.

Mother Nguyen Thi Hoa lovingly gazes at her newborn child in the incubator.

After 40 days of intensive treatment, the baby gradually stabilized, breathing completely on her own, with pink lips and skin, exhibiting quick neonatal reflexes, and able to breastfeed independently. The hospital ensured proper nutrition for the child's development while also detecting, preventing, and treating any illnesses, especially eye diseases. As a result, the baby doubled her initial weight to 1.2 kg. At this point, due to difficult economic circumstances, the family requested to discharge the baby from the hospital and care for her at home under the detailed guidance and advice of the doctors.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, Bao Tram's mother, shared about her arduous pregnancy: "My daughter Bao Tram came to us unexpectedly, because I had been using an IUD since my first son was 6 months old, yet I still got pregnant. At the beginning of the pregnancy, I was extremely worried because after visiting many hospitals, the doctors warned that the gestational sac was too close to the IUD, which could cause complications like ruptured membranes and premature birth. The chances of keeping the baby were very slim. My husband and I were extremely anxious."

In mid-December 2014, when the fetus was 10 weeks old, Ms. Hoa suffered postpartum hemorrhage. Treatment at the district hospital was ineffective, so she was transferred to Nghe An General Hospital. After intensive treatment, obstetricians successfully stopped the bleeding and stabilized the pregnancy. After one week, Ms. Hoa's condition improved, and the doctors allowed her to return home for close monitoring.

After more than 3 months, baby Bao Tram reached a weight of 2.7kg.

On April 15th, when the fetus was 23.5 weeks old, Ms. Hoa experienced severe abdominal pain, her water broke, and she was at risk of premature birth, so her family took her to Nghe An General Hospital. After three days of trying to nurture the pregnancy and administering medication to mature the fetal lungs, on April 18th, Ms. Hoa went into premature labor with her amniotic fluid level so low that it posed a danger to the baby. Doctors and midwives in the Obstetrics Department urgently assisted in the delivery. A baby girl weighing 600g was born.

“When she was born, she was tiny like a kitten, covered in downy hair, and barely breathing. My family had already prepared for the worst. But thanks to the doctors and nurses in the Obstetrics Department, my daughter survived and stayed with us. Now, every time I go to Vinh for a follow-up check-up for my daughter, I bring her to visit the ‘mothers’ at the Neonatal Unit,” shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa.

Hoa's happiness as she holds her daughter in her arms.

To date, more than 3 months and 10 days after birth, baby Bao Tram has gained weight to 2.7 kg, her health is stable, and she is breastfeeding well. Importantly, after three check-ups and monitoring of neonatal health, she has not initially shown any corneal diseases affecting her vision – a very common complication in premature and underweight newborns. However, to ensure safety, the pediatricians have scheduled follow-up appointments for close monitoring.

Hoang Yen