Baby P., 1

Baby Phelister is the youngest child in her family. She lives with her parents and two siblings in a two-roomed mud-walled house. Her mother dropped out of school in Class 8 due to financial difficulties and is currently unemployed, while her father works as a casual laborer to support the family. During pregnancy, Baby Phelister’s mother experienced episodes of illness but, after confirming she was expectant, she made efforts to attend antenatal clinic visits, often walking for over two hours to reach the facility. At around eight months of pregnancy, she noticed that her abdomen had become unusually hard and rigid. Concerned, she visited a nearby health facility, where she was referred to Siaya County Referral Hospital for further management. She later delivered at term, but the baby did not cry immediately after birth and had difficulty breathing. The newborn was promptly assessed by the medical team and diagnosed with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), a serious condition where the lungs are not fully developed, making it difficult for the baby to breathe independently. She was admitted to the newborn unit and placed on oxygen support to stabilize her breathing. Additionally, the baby was born with bilateral club feet, a condition in which both feet are twisted inward and downward. This requires specialized orthopedic care, including serial casting and possibly corrective procedures over time to enable normal walking. The first few days of life were critical, requiring close monitoring, oxygen therapy, medications, and specialized nursing care. The medical team has worked diligently to stabilize her condition, and the cost of neonatal care and ongoing orthopedic treatment has placed a significant financial strain on the family.

Baby phelister was diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome and club feet after birth. She was promptly admitted to the new born unit and began on oxygen therapy immediately. Oxygen was administered via nasal prongs , and later fed on formula via cup and retained. Baby phelister breathing improved and she was able to breath spontaneously, she was weaned off babay formula and breastfeeding started. Baby phelister was later discharged through the department of Association of persons living with Disability Kenya (APDK) which introduced her parents to Club foot Care Kenya (CCK ) for the onset of treatment of the child after the parents were in agreement, after counselling.

Baby Phelister was born with difficulty in breathing and failure to cry immediately after birth, which are signs of infant respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). This condition occurs when a newborn’s lungs are not fully developed and lack sufficient surfactant, making it difficult for the baby to breathe effectively. Given her presentation, the medical team considered her condition critical and requiring urgent intervention. She was admitted to the newborn unit and placed on oxygen therapy to support her breathing. The prognosis is guarded but improving with appropriate neonatal care. With timely intervention, including oxygen support and close monitoring, Baby Phelister is expected to gradually improve as her lungs mature and adapt. Short-term: Improvement in breathing and oxygen dependence is expected over time with proper care. Long-term: Most babies with RDS recover well without lasting lung problems, especially with early treatment.