Ratlam, Jul 31 (PTI) A baby girl born prematurely at just 860 grams and admitted in a critical condition to a government hospital in Madhya Pradesh has been discharged after nearly two months, with her weight rising to 1.4 kg, officials have said.
Medical experts said babies born after a full-term pregnancy usually weigh between 2.5 kg and 3.5 kg.
The baby was born at home on May 30 in the 25th week of pregnancy and was admitted to the Special Newborn Care Unit of Ratlam district hospital around eight hours later in a critical condition, Civil Surgeon Dr A P Singh said on Thursday.
“Babies born at 25 weeks of gestation with very low birth weight face a significantly higher risk of serious health complications,” he said.
Because of the premature birth, the baby’s lungs were not fully developed and she had difficulty breathing, he said.
“She was supported with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for 15 days and was later given oxygen therapy. In the initial days of treatment, the baby’s weight dropped from 860 grams to 690 grams. She also required a blood transfusion after developing anaemia,” Singh explained.
After her condition improved, she was started on expressed breast milk through a feeding tube about 15 days later, with the quantity being increased gradually, he said.
The infant’s mother was also trained in ‘kangaroo mother care’ to provide skin-to-skin contact and other care, he added.
“The child was discharged on July 28 after making a full recovery. She weighed around 1.4 kg at the time of discharge,” Dr Singh added. PTI HWP LAL BNM NR
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