Kenyatta National Hospital has confirmed the death of all five quintuplets referred to the facility from Thika Level Five Hospital for specialised tertiary care.
According to the statement by the hospital on Wednesday, the babies were born at an extremely premature gestational age of 25 weeks and had critically low birth weights, presenting significant clinical challenges from the time of admission.
KNH said its multidisciplinary neonatal team, comprising neonatologists, nurses and allied health professionals, provided specialised care and made every effort to support the babies.
“Despite the dedicated efforts of our medical teams and the specialized care provided, all five newborns sadly passed away,” the hospital said.
The babies had been transferred to KNH from Thika Level Five Hospital to receive specialised neonatal care after being born extremely prematurely.
The hospital said their condition presented significant clinical challenges from the time they were admitted, given their gestational age and critically low birth weights.
The neonatal team continued to provide specialised care, with doctors, nurses and other health professionals involved in their treatment.
KNH did not provide further details on the specific complications suffered by the newborns or the duration of their stay at the facility.
The hospital said it was deeply saddened by the deaths and extended its condolences to the mother and the entire family.
“KNH is deeply saddened by this devastating loss and extends its most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the mother and the entire family,” it said.
The hospital acknowledged the profound impact of losing five newborns at once and said it stood with the family during the difficult period.
“We recognize the profound pain of losing five newborns and stand with the family during this extraordinarily difficult period,” the statement said.
The deaths highlight the challenges faced in caring for extremely premature newborns, who may require highly specialised neonatal support because of their early stage of development and low birth weight.
KNH said its medical teams had made every effort to support the quintuplets despite the challenges presented by their condition.