On April 19, the Dong Thap Health Department held a press conference to share initial information about the tragic death of a three-day-old baby boy. The baby had been born on April 15 at Dong Thap Military and Civilian Hospital, but died just days later due to complications from digestive fluid aspiration syndrome.
The pregnant 22-year-old woman had been admitted to the hospital for delayed labor at 37 weeks of pregnancy. The baby was successfully delivered weighing 2.8 kg, but his condition deteriorated rapidly despite being closely monitored. According to the family, they had reported the baby’s fever and vomiting to the doctor twice on April 18, but the doctor noted only a mild fever and normal blood oxygen levels.
Despite these efforts, the baby’s condition continued to worsen until he was found pale and unresponsive on April 19. Medical staff attempted to resuscitate him, but unfortunately, he did not survive. The Dong Thap Department of Health concluded that the baby’s cause of death was due to acute respiratory failure caused by infant digestive fluid aspiration syndrome.
Health officials emphasized the importance of proper care and monitoring for newborns during their first few days of life when they are most vulnerable. They pledged to retrain medical staff on obstetric emergencies and postpartum care as well as educate the public on essential care for newborns in order to prevent future tragedies like this one.