title: Miracle baby: managing extremely preterm birth in rural Uganda.
abstract: Preterm birth is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. Uganda has one of the highest rates of preterm birth in East Africa but few resources to care for these infants. This case highlights the clinical course of an extremely premature infant born at 26 weeks gestation to a nulliparous 24-year-old woman. Her mother was involved in her care and taught the principles of kangaroo mother care. After initial problems establishing feeds she progressed well and was discharged in the fifth week of life. The case describes some of the low technology conservative and medical measures which can be used to care for neonates, such as antenatal steroids and kangaroo care. The use of antibiotics and aminophylline are also discussed. The approach to the common challenges faced by premature infants such as respiratory disease, sepsis and necrotising enterocolitis in a resource-poor environment are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical School, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Hannah Katherine
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical School, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Rhianne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical School, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical School, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Carolin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bresges
mesh_terms: D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth; D012424:Rural Population; D014454:Uganda; D055815:Young Adult