VietNamNet Bridge – The smallest inborn baby in Vietnam – Hoang Thi Man, 700gr at birth – left hospital on December 20 in the happiness of her family and doctors of the Hanoi-based Bach Mai hospital.

 

The baby was born in the 28th week of the pregnancy, on September 11 2010 at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi. Her mother, 28, from the central province of Nghe An, died after the labor due to blood bacterial contamination. The baby was moved to the Bach Mai hospital in critical condition.

 

Doctor Tran Ngoc Tung, who conducted first aid for the baby, said: “She was moved to our hospital in critical condition. Her body was not cleaned yet and she was very pale due to a prolonged shortage of oxygen.  She didn’t have any inborn reflexes. She didn’t cry and couldn’t breath. The only sign of life was her heart beat of only 50-60 times per minute (normal rhythm for inborn babies is 120 times per minute). Her chance of survival was almost zero percent”.

 

Doctors immediately conducted first aid and after about 20 minutes, the baby showed some signs of life. Her body became ruddy and her heart rhythm was stable at 120 times per minute.

 

After three months, the baby is now 3.1 kilos and development indexes are normal.

 

Doctor Nguyen Tien Dung, head of the Paediatrics Ward, Bach Mai hospital, said: “For babies who are born prematurely, weighing less than one kilo, the survival rate in Vietnam is 10-20 percent. This baby is a miracle, a success for doctors, and an appropriate occasion to celebrate Bach Mai hospital’s 100th anniversary”.

 

The baby left Bach Mai hospital on December 20.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong and Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Trieu presented the family VND4 million dong ($200) to purchase milk for the baby.

 

The two officials also praised the talent of Bach Mai hospital’s doctors.

 

Cam Quyen