Ethiopia takes a major step forward.

Ethiopia takes a major step forward.

First in Africa and second worldwide: Ethiopia achieves historic success with intrauterine blood transfusion. A baby in Ethiopia was treated with ten blood transfusions while still in the womb. It has now been born. Under continuous medical care, the baby received up to ten blood transfusions over several months. This strengthened the fetus, and it was safely delivered by cesarean section at 38 weeks gestation, weighing 3.5 kg (7 lbs). Despite the complexity of treating such a small fetus, the intrauterine blood transfusion was considered the only chance of survival. According to reports, both mother and child are now doing well. This rare medical procedure, performed at a hospital in Addis Ababa, is only the second of its kind in global medical history.