Improving the quality of care for premature babies.

Premature birth is one of the leading causes of infant mortality and leaves many long-term health, physical, and intellectual consequences. However, thanks to the province's comprehensive investment and the tireless efforts of the medical team, the quality of care and treatment for premature babies in the area has been continuously improved, providing better opportunities for survival and development for many young children.

According to obstetric and pediatric experts, premature babies (born before 37 weeks) often face many risks such as respiratory failure, sepsis, hypothermia, metabolic disorders, jaundice, etc. Without timely intervention and proper care, the risk of death and long-term complications is very high. Therefore, investing in modern equipment and improving the professional skills of the medical team are key factors.

Premature babies are transferred to the emergency department at Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital (Photo: Provided by Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital).

At the Neonatal Department (Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital), hundreds of newborns are treated. Some babies are born at 26-28 weeks of gestation, weighing 500-600g. Previously, premature births of this magnitude required transfer to central hospitals for treatment; now, with a team of highly qualified doctors and modern, comprehensive equipment, the hospital has mastered many advanced resuscitation techniques, allowing babies to receive treatment and recover locally.

For many years, the standard treatment for respiratory failure in hospitals was endotracheal intubation, invasive mechanical ventilation, and direct surfactant administration. While effective, this technique carried many risks: airway damage, ventilator-associated pneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhage, chronic lung disease in premature infants, etc. Prolonged use of sedatives and muscle relaxants also affected the child's circulation, digestion, nutrition, and nervous system.

Therefore, the emergence of LISA (Less Invasive Surfactant Injection) is considered a breakthrough in neonatal resuscitation worldwide . Since 2020, Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital has begun researching the application of LISA and officially implemented the technique in mid-2023. After a period of implementation, the results show that LISA offers superior effectiveness compared to traditional methods.

Care and treatment for premature babies at Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.

Unlike methods requiring endotracheal intubation, LISA uses a soft, small-diameter catheter (1-1.5mm) to deliver Surfactant into the child's trachea. Throughout the process, the child maintains continuous positive airway pressure breathing through the nose, does not require deep sedation, and breathes spontaneously. This method offers several advantages such as: minimizing airway invasiveness, significantly reducing complications of mechanical ventilation, and maintaining the child's physiological respiration…

According to Dr. Dang Hong Duyen, Department of Neonatology, Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, for premature babies, each day of mechanical ventilation carries the risk of developing additional complications. The implementation of the LISA technique has shown many positive signs: babies recover faster, complications are significantly reduced, and hospital stays are shortened. In particular, the rate of cerebral hemorrhage and chronic lung disease in children has also decreased significantly. These are the outstanding advantages that the medical team directly involved in treatment has noted when applying this method.

Besides providing appropriate treatment for premature babies, the hospital actively supports, examines, and screens mothers from the beginning of their pregnancy, such as: prenatal screening, screening for preeclampsia in the first trimester, screening for fetal abnormalities, and assessing the risk of premature birth. From there, if there are signs of premature birth, doctors will advise, support treatment, and administer lung maturation injections to the fetus to help the baby have a better chance of breathing after birth.

From birth, infants receive continuous care, including resuscitation, screening, feeding, vaccination, and rehabilitation. After discharge, doctors continue to guide families on how to care for the child at home, ensuring proper nutrition and monitoring development month by month…

It is evident that the implementation of advanced techniques in the care and treatment of premature infants has opened up more opportunities for survival for babies born too early. These positive results not only affirm the professional competence of the medical team but also demonstrate the correct investment direction of the provincial health sector in the field of maternal and child health care.

Van Anh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/nang-cao-chat-luong-cham-soc-tre-sinh-non-3398490.html