Phuket baby arrives with sad message for expectant parents

PHUKET: A baby born in Phuket with her intestines protruding from her abdomen underscores the need for regular prenatal care and serves as a reminder of the limits of modern medicine, said Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Jessada Chungpaibulpatana.

“About 1 in 1,000 babies are born with gastroschisis. About 30 per cent of those cases cannot be detected on an ultrasound,” Dr Jessada told the Phuket Gazette.

“When Ang-Sing was born, we followed protocol and she went into surgery immediately. Everything went smoothly. Right now, her condition is stable. The only concern is that she was born prematurely and had a low birth weight of 1,900 grams.”

Dr Jessada urged all expectant mothers to schedule regular checkups with their obstetricians.

Ornpreeya (‘Ang-Sing’) Saisrikosol’s parents were shocked by the results of the birth defect in which the muscles of the abdominal wall did not form correctly, allowing the intestines to emerge from the body.

“The first thing I saw was her beautiful face, and I was so happy,” said her mother, Phiphitsara Sangthong, 22. “A couple of seconds later, I got the shock of my life – I saw her intestines hanging out of her stomach.”

“I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was heartbroken.”

The distraught parents sought to press charges against the prenatal clinic Ms Phiphitsara had visited once, when she was five months pregnant.

“I talked with a doctor at the hospital and he told me this problem could be picked up on an ultrasound 3-5 months into the pregnancy,” said Kriangkrai Saisrikosol, 26, the baby’s father.

“My girlfriend had an ultrasound at five months, and the doctor said the baby was healthy and fine. Obviously, she wasn’t.”

The couple went to police to file a report, but were told that there was no case to pursue.

“The police made record of the report, but they said there was no case. I don’t know what to do now. I want justice. I feel like shouting as loud as I can,” said Mr Kriangkrai, his voice shaking.

Jiranun Cheamcharoen of the Phuket Shelter for Children and Families, when informed of the case by the Gazette, volunteered to help the parents understand the medical facts and to offer all the services provided by her facility.

— Saran Mitrarat