The miraculous journey of a premature baby weighing only 900 grams.

TPO - Born at 26 weeks of gestation, weighing only 900 grams, baby Pineapple faced a series of dangerous complications that made her chances of survival slim. But this little warrior did not give up; instead, she bravely fought on an incredibly miraculous journey...

On the morning of June 1st, amidst the joyful atmosphere of International Children's Day, at the Neonatal Center of the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, a tiny girl continuously smiled in her mother's arms. Few knew that to achieve that innocent smile today, she had gone through a difficult journey of fighting for her life from the very first moments of her life.

Every time she sees her healthy daughter, Ms. KL (Xuan Dinh, Hanoi ) remembers the seemingly endless time when her child was born at only 26 weeks of gestation, weighing a mere 900 grams.

Doctor, PhD Le Minh Trac – Director of the Neonatal Center, re-examined baby Dua after 3 months.

Back then, the baby was so small it fit perfectly in an adult's palm. The mother didn't even have time to hold her child before she had to watch her baby being transferred straight to the Neonatal Center for resuscitation and special care.

The moment of hearing her baby cry and then having to part ways with her immediately after birth remains a poignant memory for the young mother. Amidst the joy of motherhood is the constant worry that her child's life is so fragile.

Recalling those days, Ms. KL still couldn't hide her emotions: "There were days when all I could do was wait for a call from the doctor. Hearing that my child was a little more stable, or had gained just a few dozen grams, was enough to bring me relief. Throughout that time, I only knew to trust and entrust my child to the care of the doctors and nurses."

During the months her child was hospitalized, instead of holding and comforting her baby like other mothers, she regularly pumped breast milk every day, sending every milliliter of milk to the hospital with the sole belief that her child would be strong enough to overcome the harsh challenges of early life.

And so, each drop of breast milk sent to the hospital every day was not only a source of nutrition for the child, but also a way for the mother to convey her love, hope, and a silent message: "Keep fighting, my child."

The little girl was affectionately called Pineapple by her family.

From the moment she was born, Pineapple faced an unequal battle against the common risks associated with extremely premature babies. After three weeks of treatment, she was still dependent on a ventilator. Doctors began noting damage from chronic lung disease. Ultrasound results revealed a large patent ductus arteriosus, approximately 3 mm in diameter, severely impacting hemodynamics.

Dr. Tran Diep Ha, M.Sc., from the Neonatal Center - National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, who directly treated Dua, said that despite intensive medical treatment, the baby's condition did not improve as expected.

"Without timely intervention, the child risks more severe lung damage, prolonged ventilator dependence, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, pneumonia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and many other dangerous complications. However, surgery on a baby weighing only about 900 grams is also a huge challenge," Dr. Ha shared.

Dr. Tran Diep Ha - the doctor who directly treated Dua during her stay at the hospital.
Neonatal Center.

Faced with this difficult problem, numerous consultations were held between doctors at the Neonatal Center and experts from the Hanoi Heart Hospital. Finally, the decision was made to perform a ligation of the ductus arteriosus. It was a tense surgery, as the infant weighed less than 1 kg. But the operation was successful, marking a crucial turning point in the treatment journey of the premature baby girl.

Behind that success lies the close collaboration of many specialties, the tense moments in the operating room, and the hope rekindled for a life that has just begun.

Positive signs appeared almost immediately. Just two days after surgery, Pineapple was extubated. A week later, antibiotics were discontinued. Respiratory function improved significantly, and feeding progressed smoothly, gradually becoming entirely oral.

For extremely premature babies, sometimes just a more stable breathing pattern, a better feeding, or a few dozen grams of weight gain is enough to bring happiness to those who are watching over them day and night.

“Pineapple is a true warrior. What makes us happiest is witnessing her overcome difficulties, recover, and develop well like she is today. Every healthy premature baby returning home to their family is a great joy and motivation for the medical team,” shared Dr. Tran Diep Ha.

More than three months after being admitted to the hospital, the little girl was discharged weighing 2.1 kg.

And on this year's International Children's Day, Pineapple returned for a follow-up examination. Gone was the image of the tiny baby lying amidst IV lines and life support machines; instead, there was a healthy little girl, continuing to develop well, much to the joy of her family and the medical staff who had been with her.

On the day of her return to the hospital for a follow-up examination, Pineapple's laughter was like a joyful announcement to those who had stood by her side during her life-or-death battle. The little girl who once lay still in an incubator could now grow day by day in the loving embrace of her family.

Holding her baby in her arms, Ms. KL choked up, saying, “There were times when I was constantly worried and only prayed that my child would be strong enough to overcome it. Today, seeing my child healthy and developing like other normal babies, my family is deeply moved and grateful to the doctors and nurses at the Neonatal Center – those who loved, cared for, and never gave up on my child from the very first fragile days.”

Baby Pineapple's journey is not just the story of an extremely premature baby overcoming the fragile boundary of life. It is also a testament to the tireless efforts of the doctors and nurses at the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, along with the professional collaboration between units in the care and treatment of premature and extremely low-birth-weight infants.

From a baby weighing only 900 grams, tiny enough to fit in an adult's palm, to a healthy little girl returning for a follow-up appointment today, it's been a journey written with perseverance, faith, and love.

Some miracles don't come from fairy tales. They are created from medical knowledge, the dedication of doctors, the unconditional love of family, and the survival instinct of a child. Pineapple is one such miracle...

​

​

​

Source: https://tienphong.vn/hanh-trinh-ki-dieu-cua-be-sinh-non-nang-9-lang-post1848041.tpo