The Team at Laniado Saves Baby K’s Life
Mrs. K was 32 weeks pregnant and when evaluated in the Laniado Obstetric Emergency Unit, it was found that the fetus had a non-reassuring fetal heart tracing. During the evaluation the Ob/Gyn ultrasound team also noticed signs of a prenatal intestinal volvulus (a twisting of the intestine causing loss of blood flow and oxygen to the intestine, which can result in intestinal damage or death).
Due to the urgency of the situation Mrs. K was then rushed into theatre, where a caesarean section was performed and her daughter Baby K. was born weighing only 2000 grams. After being stabilised by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team in the operating room, she was then transferred to the NICU for further evaluation. The paediatric surgery team needed to perform lifesaving surgery to try and save her. During the surgery a portion of her small bowel was removed and she was left with a stoma (an opening in the belly where the end of the intestine drains outside into a bag).
3 weeks later, after a successful recovery in the NICU, Baby K. was discharged to go home at only 35 weeks gestational age. She continued to be followed up at Laniado and when she reached 5 months of age was readmitted to undergo the successful closure of the stoma. Typically cases of fetal-prenatal volvulus are not diagnosed in time, which usually ends in either fetal death or significant loss of intestine resulting in "short bowel syndrome" and prolonged recurrent hospitalisation.
It is the combination of Laniado’s world class professionals starting with the prenatal obstetric diagnosis, postnatal Neonatal Intensive Care stabilisation and management, together with their skilful Paediatric surgery, that resulted in not just saving Baby K. but also saving the majority of her intestine and giving her the chance to live a long and healthy life.