KENYA—Medics at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenya’s largest public hospital, have accomplished a momentous fete by completing a successful intrauterine fetal transfusion.

In a press release, KNH elaborated on how the procedure was undertaken by a group of four doctors and a team of nurses.

The medical team was led by Paediatric specialist Dr. Rosa Chemwey, assisted by Dr. Flavia Ogutu, and Dr. Ikol Adung’o, as well as Dr. Kunjira Murayi (Interventional Radiologist).

The doctors were assisted by Nurses Mr. Benson Nyankuru & Ms. Redempata Mumo, and a reproductive Health Clinical Officer – Mr. Tony Wainaina.

An intrauterine transfusion is a procedure in which red blood cells from a donor are injected into the fetus.

Intrauterine transfusion may be recommended when a fetus has anemia (low red blood cell count).

Using ultrasound to determine the position of the fetus and placenta, the surgeon inserts a needle into the mother’s abdomen and then into the umbilical vein or the fetus’ abdomen.

Red blood cells that are compatible with the fetus’ blood type are passed through the needle into the fetus.

The transfusion procedure takes between 30min to an hour may need to be repeated every few weeks until the fetus is ready to be born.

The mother is given antibiotics, local anesthesia, and IV sedation, which also sedates the fetus.

The fetus may be given additional medication to stop movement.

According to Dr. Chemwey, out of the four pregnancies, the mother only had one successful delivery.

Dr. Chemwey described that the fetus 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.

Consequently, the mother’s antibodies destroy the baby’s blood, which then develops into anemia over time, added the Paediatric specialist.

“The mother only has one baby, the last two died of a blood complication known as hemolytic disease of the newborn,” Dr. Chemwey added.

Dr. Chemwey reiterated that the team at KNH was very determined to ensure this pregnancy succeeds and she hoped for positive outcomes as the baby was only 25 weeks, three days old.

“We transfused between 80-100mls of packed red cells. This blood is special as it is Negatives Leucoreduced, hemoconcentrated, CMV negative, and irradiated to make it very safe for the baby,” the KNH specialist said.

Kenyatta National Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. Evanson Kamuri hailed the KNH team for another milestone, “This is fetal medicine and an institutional landmark. We have attained yet another achievement in fulfilling our mandate as a top premier referral hospital.”

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