News / Regional
Woman gives birth to child with nostrils above eyes
16 Jun 2014 at 10:49hrs | Views
A BEITBRIDGE woman gave birth to a baby girl with nostrils above the eyes in what health experts describe as congenital anomaly.
Ruvimbo Kunzekwemusha, 24, delivered by caesarean section at Beitbridge District Hospital on Friday and her new-born baby died later as she struggled to breathe.
A congenital disorder, or congenital disease, is a condition existing at birth and often before birth, that develops during the first month of life regardless of cause.
The condition results in structural deformities that involve defects in or damage to a developing foetus.
A hospital staff member who requested anonymity said doctors were yet to establish the rare condition and spent the better part of the day trying to save the baby.
"The baby had a deformed face. Nostrils were above the eyes which were also in one hole," said the staff member.
"Nurses had to feed her with supplementary milk for the better part of the day as the mother could not produce enough breast milk."
A visibly distraught father, Itayi Kaseke, said he would only talk to the Press after meeting other members of the family.
The couple has another four-year-old daughter who was also born through caesarean.
Matabeleland South Provincial medical director Dr William Busumani confirmed the developments but referred further questions to Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa.
Dr Parirenyatwa said he was yet to be appraised of the situation.
"I am yet to get an update from Dr Busumani. Hopefully, I will have the details by tomorrow," he said.
It is believed such conditions are due to genetic factors such as inherited or spontaneous mutation whereas others are caused by environmental influences during pregnancy such as exposure to harmful chemicals.
Ruvimbo Kunzekwemusha, 24, delivered by caesarean section at Beitbridge District Hospital on Friday and her new-born baby died later as she struggled to breathe.
A congenital disorder, or congenital disease, is a condition existing at birth and often before birth, that develops during the first month of life regardless of cause.
The condition results in structural deformities that involve defects in or damage to a developing foetus.
A hospital staff member who requested anonymity said doctors were yet to establish the rare condition and spent the better part of the day trying to save the baby.
"The baby had a deformed face. Nostrils were above the eyes which were also in one hole," said the staff member.
A visibly distraught father, Itayi Kaseke, said he would only talk to the Press after meeting other members of the family.
The couple has another four-year-old daughter who was also born through caesarean.
Matabeleland South Provincial medical director Dr William Busumani confirmed the developments but referred further questions to Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa.
Dr Parirenyatwa said he was yet to be appraised of the situation.
"I am yet to get an update from Dr Busumani. Hopefully, I will have the details by tomorrow," he said.
It is believed such conditions are due to genetic factors such as inherited or spontaneous mutation whereas others are caused by environmental influences during pregnancy such as exposure to harmful chemicals.
Source - chronicle
