Lameck J., 1

Lameck John is a three-day-old firstborn baby of Sheryloy, a 16-year-old student living with her mother in Kangemi informal settlement. Sheryloy remains in school through a government bursary and support from a church well-wisher. Her mother has no stable income and leaves home early each morning searching for casual work at construction sites or washing clothes for households. Sheryloy is therefore uncertain how the family will meet Lameck’s ongoing needs. Lameck was delivered by spontaneous vaginal delivery at 30 weeks’ gestation, weighing only 1.7 kg, and developed difficulty breathing soon after birth. Due to his prematurity and low birth weight, he was immediately admitted to the Newborn Unit for specialized care. He required close monitoring and stabilization of his breathing and temperature because premature babies are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia and respiratory complications. He also developed vomiting, requiring appropriate management while breast milk feeds were introduced gradually in small amounts and increased as tolerated.

Lameck is a 30-week premature, low-birth-weight neonate (1.7 kg) who developed respiratory distress, temperature instability risk and feeding intolerance with vomiting. His prematurity places him at increased risk of hypothermia, infection, low blood sugar, breathing difficulties and poor weight gain, making admission to the Newborn Unit medically necessary. He has responded to stabilization and gradual feeding and is currently stable. With continued neonatal care, adequate feeding, temperature control and close monitoring, his prognosis is favourable.