[Q&A] Cleft palate and PDA problems in my child’s heart.

Question: Hi,
My 2nd baby was born premature at 32 weeks 2.4 kg
. He has cleft palate and PDA in his heart. Currently at 40 days 2.9kgs he’s still in Nicu and on ventilator due to diff in breathing, partly due to yellowish secretion (mucus like) . Every 3 hour the nurses will do suction for the mucus. I wish to learn more about PDA, (cause, treatment, risks) and also about the cleft palate. Where is the best gov hosp that I can refer to do the corrective surgery.

Answer: first of all congratulations on your new baby. Hopefully he recovers well soon. Since your child is still in the ward, i wonder whether your paediatrician has explained to you regarding your child’s situation. It is best that you speak to the attending Paediatrician as the treatment of PDA in premature babies differ from term babies. There are cases where the PDA closes without treatment in premature babies and in some cases the child needs surgery. Did you doctor tell you that your child needs surgery?Most complicated surgeries are done in IJN and for gov hospital, Hospital Serdang do take in referral for heart problem. But please speak to your paediatrician first as your child is still on ventilator and transfer may not be a good idea at this point.