Moureen N., 1

Moureen was born into a financially vulnerable family struggling to meet basic needs. Her mother is unemployed, while her father, who previously depended on casual jobs, has been bedridden following a leg fracture that requires surgical repair (ORIF), leaving the family without a stable income. She was born prematurely with a low birth weight and soon developed breathing difficulties, mild birth asphyxia, and neonatal jaundice. Due to these complications, she was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she remained for five days. She was supported with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), a machine that gently delivers air to keep the lungs open and improve breathing until she maintained normal oxygen levels while breathing room air. Her electrolytes were monitored closely to detect and correct any imbalances, and she received phototherapy, a special blue-light treatment that breaks down excess bilirubin to reduce jaundice. After her condition steadily improved, she continued receiving supportive care in the ward and was discharged after a total hospital stay of 12 days.

Doctor's Prognosis: With timely treatment and regular follow-up, Moureen Nanjala is expected to continue growing and developing well. The specialised care she received for prematurity, low birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, mild birth asphyxia, and neonatal jaundice has significantly reduced the risk of complications. Ongoing monitoring of her growth and developmental milestones is recommended to ensure she reaches her full potential. If Left Untreated: Without appropriate medical care, these conditions could have led to serious complications, including severe breathing difficulties, brain injury from lack of oxygen or high bilirubin levels, poor growth, developmental delays, long-term disability, or even death. Early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the likelihood of a healthy recovery.