Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital successfully implants a cardiac pacemaker for a premature baby girl born at 27 weeks
In a significant medical achievement reflecting a high level of expertise in managing critical and complex cases, the medical team at Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital, part of Emirates Health Services (EHS), has successfully implanted a permanent pacemaker for a premature baby girl born at 27 weeks of gestation, making her one of the youngest patients to undergo such a delicate procedure successfully.
Diagnostic tests conducted during the prenatal stage revealed the foetus suffered from a cardiac arrhythmia, necessitating intensive medical monitoring and proactive planning to manage the condition immediately after birth. The baby was delivered via emergency caesarean section with a critically low heart rate, which posed a life-threatening challenge that required immediate medical intervention.
Dr. Safiya Saif Al Khajeh, Director of Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital, affirmed that the successful management of this case demonstrates the advanced level of integration and coordination among the hospital’s various medical specialties and departments, underscoring EHS’s commitment to providing specialised healthcare in line with the highest global standards.
“This achievement reflects our medical teams’ ability to handle the most complex cases by employing specialised expertise and advanced technology, saving patients’ lives and enhancing the quality of healthcare provided to children and newborns,” she added.
On the same note, Dr. Mona Khalaf, Consultant in Neonatology and Head of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the hospital, explained that from the first moments after birth, the medical team implemented a comprehensive treatment plan. The newborn faced multiple health challenges due to extreme prematurity, most notably respiratory distress syndrome, which required advanced respiratory support and round-the-clock monitoring in a technologically advanced NICU environment.
The baby received 81 days of continuous care in the NICU, she added, noting that complications associated with preterm birth – including cardiac and respiratory function support and nutritional management – were addressed through a multidisciplinary approach focused on stabilization and promoting healthy recovery and growth.
For his part, Dr. Ahmed Al Kamali, Consultant Pediatric Cardiologist and Head of the Heart Centre at the hospital, explained that the first phase involved implanting a temporary external pacemaker through a precise surgical procedure to place the necessary leads, despite the baby weighing less than one kilogram. This helped stabilise heart function and supported the infant’s growth until she was ready for the final surgical intervention.
Dr. Al Kamali noted that once the baby reached the appropriate weight, the paediatric cardiac surgery team successfully performed the implantation of a permanent subcutaneous pacemaker. This specialised procedure demanded a high level of precision and coordination among the various medical teams, he explained, emphasising that the success of this intervention marks a crucial step in ensuring long-term cardiac stability and improving the child’s quality of life.
The success of the procedure reinforces Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s standing as an advanced centre for neonatal care and paediatric cardiac surgery. It also highlights its pivotal role in supporting Emirates Health Services in achieving its strategic objectives to elevate the quality of specialised services and provide advanced, patient-centred healthcare that aligns with global best practices.
