This case is from the year 2010 when the first child of a husband and wife from Haryana was born through normal delivery. After about 10 days, this newborn started having a fever and difficulty in breathing. He was shifted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Neonatal ICU) and given ventilation support. However, this child died after about 6 weeks due to pneumonia and sepsis.
The second child also dies
In the year 2021, this couple experienced the painful experience of 4 miscarriages, then the baby was born through cesarean section. This newborn had the same breathing problems as he had with his first child. The second child lost the battle of life after 3 and a half months. This was a sad moment for the couple. Even the doctors were surprised as to why this happened again.
The umbilical cord revealed the secret
This secret was revealed in the year 2024 because the umbilical cord of both dead children was preserved. Even the mystery of multiple miscarriages was solved. The umbilical cord is a flexible, tubular formation that connects the fetus and the placenta to the mother. When its genetic analysis was done, it was found that there was a mutation in the CFTR gene which caused Cystic Fibrosis. A similar mutation was found in asymptomatic parents who were carriers of the disease.
What is the expert's opinion?
Medical genetics and IVF expert Dr Ranjana Mishra told TOI, 'The mutation is often asymptomatic when present, but both children had inherited a mutated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene from both parents. Which caused illness and complications
