Another KNH medical feat after doctors successfully transfuse baby in mother’s womb
The Kenyatta National Hospital is celebrating yet another feat in fetal medical attention after a combination of four expert doctors successfully transfused a baby while still in the mother’s uterus.
The highly delicate procedure known as Intra Uterine Fetal Transfusion, was undertaken by Doctors Rosa Chemwey, Flavia Ogutu, Ikol Adung’o and Kunjira Munayi as an interventional cardiologist.
Nurses Benson Nyankuru, Redempta Mumo and reproductive health expert Tony Wainaina came in handy to assist the doctors in the rare medical operation.
The procedure entails injecting red blood cells from a donor into the fetus and may be recommended when a fetus has anemia, or low red blood cell count.
Doctors use ultrasound to determine the position of the fetus and the placenta, after which the surgeon inserts a needle into the, mother’s abdomen and then into the umbilical vein or the fetus’ abdomen.
Red blood cells that are compatible with the fetus’ blood type are passed though the needle into the fetus. Fetal transfusions may have to be repeated every two weeks until the fetus is ready to be born.
The mother is given antibiotics, local anesthesia and sedation which also sedates the fetus. The fetus may be given additional medication to stop movement.
Doctors said out of the four pregnancies, the mother only had one successful delivery.
“The mother only has one baby, the last two died of a blood complication known as hemolytic disease of the newborn.” Doctor Chemwey said, referring to the disease where a baby’s red blood cells break down quickly.
“We are indeed very determined to ensure this particular pregnancy succeeds. We hope for positive outcomes. This baby is 25 weks, three weeks old.” Doctor Chemwey said, adding that the baby had severe anemia because it was ‘rhesus allcimmunised,’ a situation in pregnancy where the maternal blood cells lacking the rhesus antigen are exposed to rhesus-positive red blood cells through the placenta leading to the activation of the maternal blood system.
“This is fetal medicine and an institutional landmark. We have attained yet another achievement in fulfilling our mandate as a top premier referral hospital.” KNH CEO Doctor Evanson Kamuri said of the achievement.
