06/08/2025
The decision to proceed with surgical intervention was made in a high-level coordinated effort between Dr. Farah Mohammed Shakib Hajar, Consultant Neonatologist and Head of Pediatrics, Dr. Fatima Al-Fattouri, Consultant Pediatric Surgeon, and Dr. Mohammed Al-Ayoubi, Consultant Anesthesiologist, after medical management failed to control the condition.
The infant's small intestine was resected for a total of over 150 cm during the surgical procedure, which is a significant length for a premature neonate. The infant was subsequently subjected to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and intensive antibiotic therapy during a protracted and intricate stay in the NICU.
Consequently, the neonate developed Short Bowel Syndrome, a chronic complication necessitating specialized, long-term care, as a consequence of the substantial bowel resection. The condition was successfully managed without significant complications as a result of the multidisciplinary NICU team's expertise.
The infant, who was feeding orally, was discharged home at two months of age and weighed 1.8 kg. By the age of five months, his weight had increased to 4.5 kg, indicating a significant catch-up in weight gain and accelerated growth, as evidenced by his continued follow-up at the neonatal clinic.
This case serves as an illustration of the intricate voyage of a premature infant who was fragile and whose survival and recovery necessitated exceptional coordination and expertise across various specialties. It also emphasizes the NICU at Al-Khobar Hospital as a premier regional referral facility for the management of high-risk and complex neonatal cases.
Necrotizing enterocolitis and short bowel syndrome are successfully overcome by a premature infant
A premature infant born at 30 weeks' gestation was transferred from another hospital to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Al-Khobar Hospital at 10 days old. The infant was in critical condition and exhibited signs of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), two of the most severe complications that can affect preterm babies.The decision to proceed with surgical intervention was made in a high-level coordinated effort between Dr. Farah Mohammed Shakib Hajar, Consultant Neonatologist and Head of Pediatrics, Dr. Fatima Al-Fattouri, Consultant Pediatric Surgeon, and Dr. Mohammed Al-Ayoubi, Consultant Anesthesiologist, after medical management failed to control the condition.
The infant's small intestine was resected for a total of over 150 cm during the surgical procedure, which is a significant length for a premature neonate. The infant was subsequently subjected to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and intensive antibiotic therapy during a protracted and intricate stay in the NICU.
Consequently, the neonate developed Short Bowel Syndrome, a chronic complication necessitating specialized, long-term care, as a consequence of the substantial bowel resection. The condition was successfully managed without significant complications as a result of the multidisciplinary NICU team's expertise.
The infant, who was feeding orally, was discharged home at two months of age and weighed 1.8 kg. By the age of five months, his weight had increased to 4.5 kg, indicating a significant catch-up in weight gain and accelerated growth, as evidenced by his continued follow-up at the neonatal clinic.
This case serves as an illustration of the intricate voyage of a premature infant who was fragile and whose survival and recovery necessitated exceptional coordination and expertise across various specialties. It also emphasizes the NICU at Al-Khobar Hospital as a premier regional referral facility for the management of high-risk and complex neonatal cases.
06/08/2025
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