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- A two-month-old baby has survived two life-threatening medical conditions.
- The baby was born on 17 June and spent 105 days at the Netcare Clinton Hospital.
- Her father said the family was grateful to have her with them.
A two-month-old baby has survived two life-threatening medical conditions and is now finally home.
Baby Marique was born prematurely at 34 weeks gestation and spent 105 days in hospital.
She was born on 17 June by Caesarean section.
According to a statement released on behalf of Netcare Clinton Hospital in Alberton, Gauteng, baby Marique was "diagnosed with an acute life-threatening obstructive apnoea - episodes of her breathing stopping due to the collapse of the lower airway and had to be ventilated".
The girl's father, Reverend Andre Kloppers, said there were a number of times when the family was scared that they would lose her.
"So, I cannot tell you how relieved and grateful we are to have her with us today," he added.
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"Some of the doctors at the hospital were deeply concerned that she wouldn't make it, and sometimes we can't believe that she did. She is a real survivor and our little miracle."
Kloppers thanked the hospital staff for giving his little one "extraordinary care".
He said:Dr Ashley Jeevarathnum, a paediatric pulmonologist who heads the Paediatric ICU at the hospital's paediatric centre of excellence, said during her stay at the hospital Marique won the hearts of doctors and staff members "who all wanted to celebrate her recovery".
According to the statement, the doctor said apnoea occurred because of obstruction and narrowing of the trachea (windpipe) due to it being so flaccid from the initial congenital malformation.
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"After obtaining many opinions from South African and international experts Dr Carapinha and ear nose and throat [ENT] surgeon Dr Tim Capon elected to insert a tracheostomy, which involves creating an opening in Marique's neck in order to place a breathing tube into the windpipe."
Jeevarathnum said:Baby Marique's mother was trained on her care at home.
She was being fed through a feeding tube every three hours and sleeps with the support of oxygen.
