The first Vietnamese baby with foetal cardiac intervention was discharged on February 19 with normal health status, Children’s Hospital 1 in HCM City said. VNA/VNS Photo Đinh Hằng

HCM CITY – The first ever Vietnamese baby to have foetal cardiac surgery was born healthy and discharged on Monday, Children’s Hospital 1 in HCM City said.

He had been diagnosed with hypoplastic right heart syndrome and a tiny pulmonary valve opening.

In HRHS, the structures of the right side of the heart are underdeveloped, causing inadequate blood flow to the lungs and thus a lack of oxygen.

On January 30 the baby was successfully delivered through a caesarean section at Từ Dũ Hospital, also in HCM City.

He was then transferred to Children’s Hospital 1 to have his health status tracked.

Another surgery was then done to widen his pulmonary valve.

Unlike usually when there are congenital heart defects, no stenting to hold the artery open was required, thanks to the early cardiac intervention.

He was in normal condition post-surgery, and did not require tube feeding or oxygen therapy.

The prior cardiac intervention played a vital role in preventing more cardiac difficulties, experts at Children’s Hospital 1 said.

The baby was able to breastfeed and stay with his mother until discharge.

An examination will be made after a week to track his health status and design further treatment plans.

The VNĐ100 million cost of medical fees was borne by the hospital and medical insurance.

The baby’s foetal cardiac intervention, performed on January 4, was the first not just in Việt Nam but also Southeast Asia.

It was done by doctors from both hospitals to unclog the heart valve through the mother’s womb. VNS