Moi University Conducts First Intra-uterine Fetal Transfusion

Moi University’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit on March 30, 2023 entered into history books.

This is after it performed its first Intra-Uterine Fetal Transfusion in Eldoret.

The procedure was a first of its kind to be done in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Aga Khan University is the only other institution to successfully conduct such a transfusion.

According to an update on Moi University’s official social media pages, the procedure was done to a patient who was rhesus allo-immunized with fetal anemia leading to hydrops, that was diagnosed ultrasonographical by measurement of Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) – Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV).

Aka Khan University is the only other to have successfully completed the procedure in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Aga Khan University is the only other to have successfully completed the procedure in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The fetus was transfused with irradiated leucocyte depleted “O” Negative blood, ” noted the update from the Kesses-based University.

The medical team involved in the historical procedure included Prof Nan Okun, a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist from University of Toronto, Dr Pallavi Mishra (Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist – Mediheal Group of Hospital ), as well as Dr Bett Kipchumba a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist at the Moi Teaching and Refferal Hospital (MTRH ).

Others were Dr Kosgei Wycliffe (Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist – MTRH), Dr Rosa Chemwey (Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow – Moi University), and Dr David Ndingori (Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow – Moi University).

Medical staff during the Intra-uterine Fetal Transfusion procedure.
Some of the medical staff during the Intra-uterine Fetal Transfusion procedure.

Dr Paul Nyongesa an Obstetrician Gynaecologist from Moi University) and two nurses only identified as Faith and Dorothy were also part of the medical team.

An Intra-uterine Fetal Transfusion is a procedure that provides blood to an Rh-positive fetus when fetal red blood cells are being destroyed by the Rh-sensitized mother’s immune system.

According to medical experts, this treatment is meant to keep the fetus healthy until the baby is mature enough to be delivered.

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