Baby saved through new foetal blood transfusions

ABU DHABI // The Corniche Hospital’s foetal medicine unit has saved the life of a baby with several prenatal blood transfusions – a first for the hospital.

Rhesus disease, a rare condition in which the foetus develops anaemia, is critical and can cause stillbirth if not treated on time.

The baby had another transfusion 12 days after birth and is healthy.

The mother had already lost two babies to the condition after misdiagnosis and failure to deliver timely treatment in the past.

“We had started to lose hope and now we cannot contain our happiness when we see our baby happy and healthy,” said Marwa Badee, an Egyptian. “I would like to thank the Corniche neonatal intensive care unit doctors and staff who looked after my baby too.”

Dr Leanne Bricker, the hospital’s chairwoman of foetal medicine, said: “This kind of procedure to transfuse blood while the baby is still inside the mother requires a high level of expertise and care, and we are extremely proud and happy that the baby was delivered safe and sound.”

The hospital’s chief medical officer, Dr Paul Bosio said: “Foetal medicine is not only about detecting foetal abnormalities, but also optimising the outcome of every baby during pregnancy.”

The foetal medicine unit also has plans to further develop outpatient services for multiple pregnancies, baby growth restriction and premature births.

The unit has been open for more than seven years but has recently begun to offer enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Corniche Hospital is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, or Seha.

Seha is responsible for all of the public hospitals and clinics in Abu Dhabi emirate.