NAIROBI, Kenya — A family in Juja, Kiambu County, has lost all five newborns after the fifth and last surviving quintuplet died at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
KNH confirmed the deaths on Wednesday, saying the five babies had been transferred from Thika Level Five Hospital for specialised neonatal care after being born extremely prematurely.
The babies were approximately 25 weeks into gestation and had critically low birth weights, placing them at high risk of complications associated with extreme prematurity.
“Despite the dedicated efforts of our medical teams and the specialised care provided, all five newborns sadly passed away,” KNH acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Joel Lassan said.
Fifth Baby Dies at KNH
The death of the fifth baby came a day after reports that four of the quintuplets had died, leaving one boy receiving specialised care at KNH.
The hospital said its multidisciplinary neonatal team, comprising neonatologists, nurses and allied health professionals, provided specialised care to the newborns.
The deaths have brought to an end what had initially been a moment of celebration for the family after the rare birth of five babies.
Babies Born at 25 Weeks
Kiambu County health officials said Kanini went into labour at about 1 am and was admitted to Thika Level Five at around 7 am with established labour.
Three obstetric scans had shown that she was carrying quintuplets, with the pregnancy estimated at about 25 weeks and six days.
The first baby, a boy, was delivered at 10:45 am, followed by the four girls. The last baby was born at about 10:56 am.
Kanini remained stable following the delivery.
Newborns Weighed Between 600g and 800g
The five babies weighed between approximately 600 grammes and 800 grammes.
Their extreme prematurity meant their lungs were not fully developed, according to Kiambu health officials, and they required continuous resuscitation and a higher level of neonatal care.
The newborns were initially stabilised by the neonatal team at Thika Level Five before being transferred to KNH at about 10:30 pm on September 13.
They were accompanied by their parents in ambulances and received at KNH for specialised treatment.
A healthcare official had earlier explained that the babies’ extremely low weights meant they required specialised newborn intensive care available at KNH.
Rare Quintuplet Birth Turns to Tragedy
The birth had initially attracted attention because Kanini delivered all five babies through normal delivery.
She had said she was initially being prepared for a Caesarean section after delivering the first baby, but doctors later determined that she could deliver the remaining four naturally.
Kanini praised the doctors and nurses at Thika Level Five for the care she received during and after the delivery.
The quintuplets were her third pregnancy. She already had a son and a daughter.
Her husband, Evans Nyamhanga, described the arrival of the five babies as a miracle and said the family had initially expected four children.
Family Had Appealed for Support
Following the birth, the family appealed for financial assistance to help meet the demands associated with caring for five extremely premature newborns.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi had provided an ambulance to assist the family.
The family is now facing the loss of all five children just days after their birth.
KNH Offers Condolences to Family
KNH said it was deeply saddened by the deaths and extended its condolences to Kanini and the entire family.
The hospital acknowledged the profound pain of losing five newborns despite the specialised care provided by its medical teams.
The deaths also underscore the serious risks associated with extreme prematurity, particularly where newborns have very low birth weights and require advanced neonatal intensive care.
For the Juja family, the joy that accompanied the rare birth of five babies has now turned into mourning following the deaths of all five newborns.
