Davao newborn declared dead revives at home, dies again
• A premature infant in Davao City was declared dead but was later found to be alive at home by his family
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• The newborn, who was rushed back to the hospital, passed away two days after his unexpected revival
• The hospital chief presented two theories for the baby's brief revival, including the rare "Lazarus syndrome" and the box acting as a thermal regulator
• The family has expressed concern over the initial care provided by the hospital staff, to which the hospital chief has responded and offered to meet with them
A family in Davao City is grappling with a profound tragedy after their premature infant, initially declared deceased, unexpectedly showed signs of life at home, only to pass away for a second time just days later.
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The rare and heartbreaking incident has thrust a spotlight on the complexities of preterm care and a seldom-documented medical phenomenon known as "Lazarus syndrome."
The family's ordeal began on August 23, 2025, when the infant, born prematurely at a private hospital, was transferred to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City.
Despite the hospital staff's efforts, the baby was declared dead and his body was released to the family, wrapped and placed inside a cardboard box for transport to their home in Brgy. Gumalang, Baguio District.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the family discovered the infant was still breathing upon opening the box.
Overwhelmed with a mix of shock and renewed hope, they rushed the newborn back to SPMC. The baby was immediately placed in an incubator and received care for two more days before succumbing on August 25.
The incident has raised questions and grief for the family, who expressed disappointment with the initial handling of the case.
A relative, speaking on behalf of the family, criticized the lack of concern shown by the assisting medical staff, stating they felt the baby was not properly cared for. They also noted that the baby was not thoroughly cleaned before being released.
Addressing the media, SPMC Medical Center Chief Dr. Ricardo Audan acknowledged the family's pain and offered an explanation for the remarkable event.
Dr. Audan pointed to a rare medical condition, Lazarus syndrome, as a possible cause. This phenomenon, officially known as autoresuscitation after failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), describes the spontaneous return of circulation and vital signs after a patient has been pronounced clinically dead.
While extremely rare, with only a few dozen cases documented globally, its causes are not fully understood.
Dr. Audan also presented a second, more practical theory: that the cardboard box itself may have played a crucial, albeit unintentional, role.
He suggested that the box could have acted as a "thermoregulator," helping to maintain the baby's body temperature. The gentle movements during transport over uneven roads might have also stimulated the infant, helping to restart his breathing.
In response to the family’s concerns about the baby's cleanliness, Dr. Audan explained that the fragile and sensitive skin of a preterm infant prevented a more vigorous cleaning process to avoid causing injury.
He affirmed that the hospital staff had cleaned the baby as much as was medically safe. Dr. Audan added that this was the first such incident at SPMC and that the hospital is prepared to meet with the grieving family to provide further clarification and support.
This case echoes other rare occurrences where individuals, particularly newborns, have been mistakenly declared dead only to be discovered alive.
A similar incident in Kidapawan, Philippines, in 2013 involved a premature baby who was found to be alive inside a box an hour after being declared dead.
These cases underscore the critical need for a sufficient observation period after resuscitation efforts are stopped, as recommended by medical literature, to ensure that vital signs have not spontaneously returned.
News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories that people could easily understand and relate in their lives.
In other news, a stage canopy at Peñaranda Park in Legazpi City, Albay collapsed during heavy rain, injuring at least six students. The students were rehearsing for a dance number when the temporary stage structure gave way due to the weight of pooled rainwater. The incident has raised questions about the safety and quality of the stage, which is part of a P96 million park renovation project. Local officials, including Albay Vice Governor Farida Co, are reportedly shouldering the medical expenses of the injured students.
Still in other news, a 53-year-old Filipino tourist died at Hong Kong Disneyland after a medical emergency on the "Frozen Ever After" boat ride. The man, who had a decade-long history of heart disease, lost consciousness while on the ride and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed the fatality and is assisting the family with the repatriation of his remains. Hong Kong Disneyland stated that their initial investigation found the incident was not related to ride safety.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
