Medics at Kenyatta National Hospital are celebrating yet another milestone in foetal medicine after they successfully transfused a baby while still in the mother’s uterus.
The highly delicate procedure, known as the Intrauterine Fetal Transfusion, was undertaken by a team of four doctors who included specialists Dr. Rosa Chemwey, Dr. Flavia Ogutu, and Dr. Ikol Adung’o, as well as Dr. Kunjira Murayi (Interventional Radiologist).
They were assisted by Nurses Mr. Benson Nyankuru, Ms. Redempata Mumo, and a reproductive Health Clinical Officer – Mr. Tony Wainaina.
According to Dr. Chemwey, 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,” she said while 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 weeks, three days old,” said Dr Chemwey.
She said the baby had severe anemia because the baby was ‘rhesus alloimmunized’ a situation in pregnancy when the maternal red blood cells (RBCs) lacking the rhesus antigen are exposed to rhesus-positive red blood cells through the placenta leading to the activation of the maternal immune system.
“So the mum’s antibodies destroy the baby’s blood, which then develops into anaemia over time,” she went on.
According to the specialists, the transfusion procedure takes between 30min to an hour.
“We transfused between 80-100mls of packed red cells. This blood is special as it is O-negative Leucoreduced, hemoconcentrated, CMV negative, and irradiated to make it very safe for the baby,’ she said.
Kenyatta National Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. Evanson Kamuri hailed the KNH team for another milestone. “This is foetal medicine and an institutional landmark. We have attained yet another achievement in fulfilling our mandate as a top premier referral hospital.”
“I’d like to thank the team of doctors and those assisting them for the splendid work done. This confirms that we have the very best medics here at KNH.”