Two Infants Hospitalized in Serious Condition After Home Birth Complications

Two infants were hospitalized in serious condition at Hadassah Mount Scopus Medical Center in Jerusalem over the past two weeks following complications from planned home births. Both babies received life-saving treatment from the medical team.

The first infant was brought to the hospital about an hour after a home birth, suffering from asphyxia, a lack of blood supply to the brain. The parents noticed their newborn was in severe distress and called for an ambulance. Doctors identified respiratory distress, a bluish skin tone, and abnormal neurological status. A brain wave monitor indicated seizures, leading to therapeutic hypothermia to prevent further brain damage. The infant's condition has since stabilized and is being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit. Professor Smadar Even-Tov, head of neonatology at Hadassah, stated that immediate assessment and resuscitation at the hospital could have prevented the brain damage.

The second case involved a three-day-old infant, also born at home, who was rushed to the hospital by her parents after they observed severe bleeding in her diaper. Pediatricians quickly diagnosed the infant as being in shock and suffering from severe acidosis. Due to critically low hemoglobin levels, the baby was in life-threatening condition. The medical team administered Vitamin K and blood products, which significantly improved her clotting function and stopped the bleeding. This case was described as one of the most severe the unit has handled due to Vitamin K deficiency, but the infant recovered and was released home. The deficiency was attributed to the parents' decision not to administer the vitamin, which is standard practice worldwide to prevent dangerous bleeding conditions.

According to the Ministry of Health, newborns have low levels of Vitamin K, essential for blood clotting. While adults obtain it through diet and gut bacteria, newborns lack the necessary gut bacteria and receive insufficient amounts from breast milk. Their clotting systems are also immature, making them vulnerable to bleeding. The vitamin is routinely given to all newborns immediately after birth to prevent severe bleeding.