520gm baby girl survives after a gruelling 128-day battle in Dubai

Dubai: Thankful parents of a baby girl born with a weight of just 520 grams in Dubai have said her discharge from the hospital after 128 days of critical care has been nothing short of a miracle.

Indian expats Mohamed Yousuf Shaikh and Rahina Shaikh, who hail from the southern state of Karnataka, told Gulf News that they least expected Maliha’s birth to be complicated. Blessed with two other children Inaaya and Zunaira, Rahina said, “Maliha’s premature birth was a challenging chapter in our lives. The pregnancy had been progressing well until complications arose, prompting the doctors to recommend a premature delivery. Maliha’s arrival, weighing only 520 grams, was a mix of emotions — with overwhelming joy for her birth but accompanied by fear due to her prematurity.”

Dr. Binoy Nellissery, Specialist Pediatrician and Specialist Neonatologist, Aster Hospital, Al Qusais, where Raina was rushed to, said, “Maliha’s mother came to us with labour pain at 25 weeks of gestation. She experienced cervical incompetence, for which the gynecologist performed cervical cerclage. However, during the onset of labour, the cervical cerclage had to be removed, resulting in the preterm delivery of Maliha. The baby was born with a birth weight of 520grams. She was weak and could not breathe effectively, so she had to be ventilated.”

What is cervical incompetence?

The doctor said an incompetent cervix is when the mother’s cervix shortens or opens too early in pregnancy, triggering premature birth or miscarriage.

He said premature births can present significant challenges for both the baby and the mother. “In Maliha’s case, her premature birth at 25 weeks due to cervical incompetence led to several complications and required careful management. Besides respiratory distress, she had underdeveloped lungs, was susceptible to infections and showed feed intolerance. The mother too faced risks associated with cervical incompetence, which led to premature labour. The removal of the cervical cerclage was necessary to allow the labour to progress, leading to a normal delivery.”

Maliha, who was admitted the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), received specialised care with ventilation and support aiding her breathing. She was also administered antibiotics to manage her infection and provided adequate nutritional support. She remained in hospital for 128 days and by the time she was discharged, her biorth weight had gone up to 1.87kg.

“Taking her home was a moment filled with indescribable joy and gratitude. Maliha’s journey, marked by resilience and determination, stands as a testament to the care she received from the team of doctors,” said Rahina, adding, “Their unwavering commitment transformed Maliha’s 128-day hospital stay into a period of hope and growth.”

Asked if there was anything a mother could do to prevent cervical incompetence or any other risks during pregnancy, Dr Nellissery provided the following tips:

Regular check-ups: Regular antenatal check-ups are crucial for monitoring fetal health and addressing any potential issues earlyBed rest and stress management: Adequate rest and stress reduction can be beneficial in preventing complications.

Infection management: Treating infections, especially urinary tract infections, is important to minimise risks.

Awareness of premature labour signs: Understanding the signs and symptoms of premature labour can prompt early intervention.

Delivery in specialised facilities: Delivering in units equipped to handle extreme prematurity is crucial. These units have specialised care and equipment for premature babies, which significantly improves their chances of survival and better outcomes.