The Ministry of Health is investigating the deaths of four infants at the Bac Ninh Hospital of Obstetrics and Paediatrics in the northern province of Bac Ninh Province on Monday.

Four infants die on November 20 morning at the Bac Ninh Hospital of Obstetrics and Paediatrics

Nguyen Ha Vi, born November 16, Vi Thi Phuong and Vu Dinh Co, both born November 13, and Vu Hai Dang, born November 12, died between 2-9.30 am on November 11 at the hospital.

An initial investigation by forensic doctors on two bodies showed that the babies died from septic shock.

A delegation led by Head of the ministry's Health Examination and Treatment Department, Luong Ngoc Khue, had a meeting with representatives from the hospital yesterday evening, which suspended the team that was directly responsible for the care of the babies that day.

According to a report from the hospital, all four babies had been born prematurely between the 30th and 34th week of pregnancy at the hospital. The four-to-eight-day-old infants all received special care and treatment at the hospital since birth. The heaviest baby weighed a mere 2.3 kilograms at birth, while the smallest one was only 1.6 kilograms in weight.

Speaking at the meeting, director of the hospital, Le Van Nam, said that the hospital has immediately sealed the medicine and equipment used for treating the four babies and carried out a thorough check on all related treatment devices and water sources.

The director added that they are currently treating a total of 700 patients including 80 infants. 20 premature babies are being supported with breathing machines.

After the meeting, the hospital has transferred 13 premature babies to Vietnam National Children's Hospital and Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi for further treatment.

Last week, a two-month-old baby also died after receiving an antibiotic shot at the hospital.

Medical care for premature infants has developed in Vietnam, with known successful nurturing of babies born as prematurely as during the 26th week of pregnancy and weighing less than 500 grams.  

Dtinews