Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has performed Kenya’s first balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty on a premature newborn, a procedure that opens a narrowed heart valve and restores blood flow to the lungs.
The baby, born with a critical heart condition, is now stable and recovering, marking a significant milestone in neonatal cardiac care in the country.
The infant, delivered on January 2, 2026, by emergency caesarean section at 34 weeks, weighed 2.26 kilograms and was one of a set of premature twins born to Ms Josephine Pilanci from Kimana, Kajiado County. Shortly after birth, Twin A developed breathing difficulties and required oxygen support.
An abnormal heart sound prompted further tests, which revealed critical pulmonary valve stenosis, a condition that restricts blood flow from the heart to the lungs, putting dangerous strain on the heart. Twin B, by contrast, was born healthy and stable.
Doctors at KNH recommended an urgent balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty to widen the valve and improve blood circulation.
During the procedure, a small balloon was guided to the heart through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter, which is inserted into a blood vessel. The balloon was then inflated to open the narrowed valve, allowing blood to flow more freely to the lungs.
The procedure, performed on February 5, 2026, was led by Consultant Paediatric Cardiologists Dr Esther Kimani and Dr Naomi Gachara, assisted by Dr Tatiana Mutinda, a Paediatric Cardiology Fellow. The anaesthesia team was headed by Dr Mbithe and Dr Kimtai, while nursing services were coordinated by Mr Erick Otieno, supported by a team of specialised nurses.
The operation lasted about 90 minutes, and follow-up checks the next day showed stable blood pressure and improved blood flow. The baby was gradually weaned off oxygen and is now feeding well and gaining strength.
Ms Pilanci expressed her gratitude to the medical team, saying,” I am grateful to God and to the doctors and nurses who never gave up on my baby.”
KNH’s acting CEO, Dr Richard Lesiyampe, said the procedure demonstrates the hospital’s capacity to handle complex neonatal cardiac cases locally, reducing the need for families to seek treatment abroad.
