University Hospital Sharjah saves lives of premature twins

Sharjah, July 29, 2013 (WAM) - Doctors and staff at the Paediatric and Neo-natal Department at the University Hospital Sharjah (UHS) have saved the lives of prematurely born twin girls. The medical team successfully solved the medical problems to help the twins survive, who are now in a stable condition and ready for discharge. The twins were born after a pregnancy period of just 6-7 months, and as such were suffering from nutritional problems. Lian, who was born with her twin Lial, had issues with her lungs which had evolved into pulmonary bleeding. The situation required immediate medical intervention to control the working of the lungs until stabilisation. Lial had nutritional problems due to her small weight of only 1.3 kg. Modern premature newborn nutrition was given to her. The twin's condition is stable and under control now. Speaking on the occasion, Professor Hakam Yaseen, Head of the Pediatric and Neo-natal Department, said, "Without doubt, dealing with critical cases requires sophisticated technologies and long experience in using these technologies. We are extremely delighted with the advanced results achieved by Emirati Medicine and the developments we are making here at the UHS, including the twin Lian and Lial case. No doubt such a milestone proves our innovative abilities and readiness to respond to similar or more complicated cases." Professor Yaseen added, "Lian's case was more complicated than her sister's. An opening of the ductus arteriosus between the pulmonary artery and the aorta has led to exacerbation of the pulmonary bleeding. The bleeding and pneumonia required three days of continuous efforts. Thanks to the wisdom and skills of our medical team at the UHS, and the tremendous abilities of the Hospital, the problems were gradually eliminated. The condition of the child is now stable and we intend to discharge her in two weeks." The mother of the twins said, "I can say that the treatment given by the doctors and supervisors at the UHS has significantly contributed in stabilising the condition of my twins during the difficult past two weeks. This success can be attributed to the medical team, the round-the-clock care and accurate follow ups. It has helped instil joy and happiness in our house after a long wait of about 10 years. It was a normal but premature birth. Now everything is stable thanks to the confidence and abilities of the UHS." Pulmonary bleeding is one of the main causes of the rising death rate among premature babies, with the rate rising to 70-90%. Specialists said this UHS achievement is a new gain for medicine in the UAE and is proof of local experiences and abilities which, together with state of the art facilities, will attract patients back to the country to enjoy a high level services no less than those offered by world's most advanced hospitals. - Emirates News Agency, WAM