Critical 72 hours for baby Jennifer

12 April 2012

The premature baby daughter of Chancellor Gordon Brown has been baptised in hospital after her condition "deteriorated" following a brain haemorrhage.

Mr Brown, 50, and wife Sarah, 37, are keeping a vigil at Jennifer Jane's bedside as doctors warned that the next 72 hours are crucial to her survival. With surgery too risky on such a small baby, doctors can only hope that the bleeding in her brain does not increase.

Jennifer, who was born seven weeks prematurely weighing only 2lb 4oz, was transferred from the Forth Park Hospital in Kirkcaldy to a specialist unit in Edinburgh, where she is now being treated.

If she survives she could suffer brain damage. Jennifer was christened in a short ceremony yesterday as her parents and other relatives faced an agonising wait for signs of improvement.

A brief statement issued on behalf of the couple said: "Sadly, Jennifer's condition following her brain haemorrhage has deteriorated over the last 24 hours. Gordon and Sarah are with her and are grateful for the support and good wishes they are receiving at a difficult time." Some experts believe that Jennifer, who has apparently suffered two small episodes of bleeding on the brain, could still stage a full recovery.

Surgeons opted to deliver Jennifer by Caesarean section on 28 December after a routine scan showed she was not growing properly in the womb and had an irregular heartbeat. Although she weighed only 2lb 4oz when she was delivered - half the average weight for a baby of 33 weeks' gestation - doctors were initially encouraged by her progress.

She was said to have been breathing independently and tolerating small amounts of food. Mrs Brown left hospital looking drawn and pensive on Thursday.

On Friday afternoon an ultrasound scan showed that Jennifer had suffered an intra ventricular haemorrhage (IVH), where fragile blood vessels in her still-developing brain had ruptured and seeped into ventricles in the middle of the brain. About two thirds of premature babies weighing 2lb 4oz or less fall victim to IVH. Many survive with no adverse effects, but others can develop problems such as cerebral palsy and other handicaps. If Jennifer does pull through, doctors may not know the extent of any brain damage until she is three or four years old when developmental problems will become apparent.

Survival rates for premature babies have increased dramatically in the last 10 years, with 80 per cent of babies weighing 2lb 2oz now expected to live. But, with an underdeveloped immune system, Jennifer is at risk from infections. One expert said Mrs Brown's intention to breastfeed could be important. Professor Sam Lingam, consultant paediatrician at St Ann's Hospital, Tottenham, said: "Infection is still a risk but with good medical care, and breast milk containing antibodies, will prevent infection.

"I understand Jennifer's mother is going to breastfeed which is excellent because breast milk contains long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are good for the brain."

The risks to premature babies

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