KNH Announces Death of Quintuplets Born at 25 Weeks

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has announced the death of five quintuplets who had been referred to the facility from Thika Level Five Hospital for specialized tertiary care.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 16, the hospital said the babies were born at 25 weeks, an extremely premature gestational age.

"Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) wishes to inform the public of the tragic passing of all five quintuplets who were referred to our institution from Thika Level Five Hospital for specialized tertiary care," the statement read.

KNH said the newborns had critically low birth weights and required specialized neonatal care due to their extremely premature condition.

"The babies were born at an extremely premature gestational age of 25 weeks and with critically low birth weights, presenting significant clinical challenges from the time of admission," the statement added.

The hospital said a multidisciplinary team was involved in caring for the five newborns, with specialists working to provide the required medical support.

"Our multidisciplinary Neonatal team, comprising Neonatologists, nurses and allied health professionals, provided specialized care and made every effort to support the babies," the statement further read.

Despite the medical interventions and specialized care provided, KNH said all five newborns eventually died.

"Despite the dedicated efforts of our medical teams and the specialized care provided, all five newborns sadly passed away," the statement noted.

The hospital expressed its condolences to the mother and the entire family following the loss of all five babies, acknowledging the emotional impact of the tragedy.

"KNH is deeply saddened by this devastating loss and extends its most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the mother and the entire family. We recognize the profound pain of losing five newborns and stand with the family during this extraordinarily difficult period," the statement concluded.

This comes weeks after KNH responded to a media report concerning a bullet recovered from a patient during treatment at the hospital.

In a statement on Sunday, August 9, the hospital said the bullet was retained and preserved as part of the relevant medical and evidentiary records, contrary to claims that the recovered item was missing.

"The Hospital wishes to clarify that the bullet/projectile recovered during medical management was retained and preserved as part of the relevant medical and evidentiary records," the statement read.

KNH explained that recovered items are handled through established procedures and transferred to investigating officers through the appropriate judicial and investigative process.

"In accordance with established procedures, such recovered items are handed over to investigating officers through the appropriate judicial and investigative process for further handling and forensic examination," the statement added.