SEHA’s Salma Rehabilitation Hospital Achieves Breakthrough in Treating Rare and Complex Paediatric Case

The three-week-old infant was diagnosed with a rare condition that affects approximately 1 in every 3,000 to 5,000 newborns

SEHA, a subsidiary of PureHealth, the largest healthcare platform in the Middle East, has reinforced its position as a leader in paediatric care with the successful management of a challenging case at Salma Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital treated a three-week-old infant diagnosed with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), a rare condition affecting 1 in every 3,000 to 5,000 newborns, characterised by joint contractures.

The infant, born prematurely and facing severe respiratory complications, required urgent and intensive medical care. Key interventions included a tracheostomy to assist with breathing and a gastrostomy to provide direct nutrition to the stomach. These critical, life-saving procedures, combined with comprehensive neurological assessments, resulted in significant health improvements. Following these treatments, brain MRI results revealed no abnormalities, leading to the removal of the infant's ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ (DNR) status.

Since the intervention, the child has made remarkable progress, transitioning off mechanical ventilation, successfully adapting to a speaking valve, and now breathing independently on room air. Alongside the medical treatments, this success stems from a holistic, multidisciplinary approach that seamlessly integrated physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy, ensuring comprehensive care and recovery.

Physical therapy was essential in preserving and improving the infant’s joint mobility, given the severe contractures caused by AMC. “Early therapy focused on proper positioning to enhance the child’s range of motion while carefully monitoring her respiratory needs,” said Viviene Nicasio, Physiotherapist at Salma Rehabilitation Hospital. “As her condition stabilized, the physical therapy approach expanded to include mobility-strengthening exercises and group therapy sessions aimed at improving motor skills and social interaction,” she added.

Occupational therapy addressed the challenges arising from the infant’s complex medical history. “She was initially dependent on ventilators and confined to bedrest, then she gradually progressed from a bouncer seat to a car seat, and finally to a stroller, where she could sit upright and interact with her peers,” remarked Samina Farid, Occupational Therapist at Salma Rehabilitation Hospital. This crucial therapy significantly improved her functional abilities, allowing her to engage with her environment and participate in group activities.

Speech and language therapy was pivotal in helping the infant vocalise and swallow. “The therapy focused on monitoring her readiness for communication, conducting speaking valve trials that enabled her to coo and interact with caregivers,” said Saranya Sankar, Speech and Language Pathologist at Salma Rehabilitation Hospital. “As her respiratory condition improved, a swallow study was conducted, leading to a tailored therapy plan that allowed her to begin oral feeding trials,” she explained.

Dr. Mohamed Helal Eldesouky, Consultant - Pediatrics at Salma Rehabilitation Hospital said, “This complex case required a unique blend of medical expertise and a multidisciplinary approach, strengths that our team here at Salma excels in. The child’s resilience and our persistent efforts have led to significant advancements where, against all odds, she is now breathing on her own and beginning to feed orally. This case stands as a testament to our hospital's capability to manage and rehabilitate even the rarest and most challenging conditions."

The infant is actively engaging in oral feeding trials and consistently undergoing assessments for visual impairments. This case reaffirms SEHA’s commitment to an integrated approach to healthcare, combining advanced medical technologies with a collaborative, patient-centred model to deliver seamless, high-quality care across its network.