ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

A 41-year-old patient from the Northern Emirates has successfully delivered a healthy baby girl following a highly complex obstetric history involving seven miscarriages and one foetal death, SEHA announced on Wednesday.

Afra Al Khateeri's delivery was managed by experienced clinical teams at SEHA Corniche Hospital.

The successful outcome reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision to build one of the region’s most advanced healthcare ecosystems where families are supported across every stage of life.

The patient conceived through IVF following pre-implantation genetic testing. Both the patient and her partner are carriers of the EXOC3L2 gene, which is associated with brain malformations and renal disease. Prior to this pregnancy, the couple had experienced multiple miscarriages and an intrauterine foetal death.

The patient has a history of endometriosis and previously underwent uterine septum resection in the United States. She had also undergone several IVF cycles that were unsuccessful.

This pregnancy was further complicated due to a uterine septum and gestational diabetes. She was admitted to Corniche Hospital at 35 weeks.

The patient experienced further complications due to the late-onset Intrauterine Growth Restriction and a history of multiple surgeries.

A live baby girl was delivered via C-section, with a birth weight of 1.99 kilograms. Mother and baby stayed at the hospital for nearly 2 weeks, with the infant’s discharge weight recorded at 2 kilograms following specialised neonatal care.

In her ninth pregnancy, Al Khateeri’s delivered preterm at 35 weeks, marking this her first live birth and highlighting the complexity and high-risk nature of the case.

Dr Saleema Wani, Chief Medical Officer and Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at SEHA Corniche Hospital, commented: “This remarkable case reflects the deep trust that families across the UAE place in Corniche Hospital. The patient was referred from a hospital in the United States, and her journey highlights the reassurance patients experience when supported by our highly skilled clinical teams.

"The successful management of such a complex pregnancy was made possible through strong multidisciplinary collaboration, advanced clinical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to maternal and neonatal safety.”

The case reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader commitment to advancing women’s and newborn health through integrated care pathways, specialised maternal–foetal medicine services and strengthened quality standards across the healthcare sector. By combining advanced genetics, high-risk obstetric expertise and coordinated neonatal care, the emirate continues to enhance outcomes for families facing complex medical challenges.

With over 48 years of service in Abu Dhabi, SEHA Corniche Hospital continues to deliver exceptional clinical care, ensuring the safety and well-being of mothers and their newborns, and demonstrating its expertise in managing high-risk pregnancies and providing specialised care for preterm infants in its state-of-the-art Neonatal ICU.