On 17/7, Khanh Hoa General Hospital announced that over a month prior, they admitted a 22-year-old pregnant woman from Tay Khanh Vinh commune experiencing premature labor at 26 weeks with a breech presentation. After birth, the baby cried weakly, was placed on non-invasive ventilation, and immediately transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit.

The baby, weighing only 700g, was lethargic and experiencing severe respiratory distress and hemodynamic instability. Doctors diagnosed the infant with respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, and neonatal sepsis.

The infant received intensive treatment in an incubator with invasive ventilation and surfactant administration. Due to lack of improvement, the baby was switched to high-frequency ventilation, antibiotics, blood clotting disorder management, and intravenous feeding. After three days, doctors administered a second dose of surfactant.

Surfactant is a lipoprotein compound produced by the lungs that plays a crucial role in reducing surface tension in the alveoli, preventing lung collapse, and ensuring effective lung function after birth.

Two weeks later, the baby’s lungs improved, the breathing tube was removed, and the infant was switched to nasal oxygen while starting breastfeeding.

The 26-week-old premature baby was saved after more than 40 days of treatment. Photo: *Khanh Hoa General Hospital*

After 40 days, the baby began kangaroo care with the mother, practicing breastfeeding and undergoing physical therapy to improve sucking and swallowing reflexes. By day 43, the baby was breastfeeding well, reached a weight of 1.5kg, was in stable condition, and was discharged.

According to Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Huy, Head of Pediatrics, this is the first case of an extremely premature baby being successfully nurtured and treated at the hospital.