On September 27th, Reline, a newborn from Africa battling a rare infection caused by “flesh-eating bacteria,” was discharged from the hospital after nearly two months of intensive care from the 27th Chinese medical aid team in Benin. The team, based in Ningxia, worked tirelessly to pull the infant back from the edge of life-threatening complications.
The infection, known as necrotizing fasciitis, causes rapid and extensive tissue death and is characterized by systemic toxic symptoms. It poses a critical surgical emergency and is particularly rare among newborns.
Just a week after her birth, Reline’s situation became dire as the bacteria consumed nearly two-thirds of her skin, affecting her head and buttocks, which resulted in severe swelling, pus accumulation under the skin, and a persistent high fever. The medical team acted swiftly, conducting a remote consultation that led to a preliminary diagnosis of a “flesh-eating bacteria” infection.
“This is the first case of necrotizing fasciitis we’ve encountered in our department, and it’s both rare and extremely challenging,” remarked Jean Eude, the pediatric director at the hospital receiving assistance. “If treatment is delayed, the infant faces a high risk for severe complications like toxic shock, which can be fatal.”
On July 29th, the 27th Chinese medical team formed a joint rescue unit and crafted a comprehensive treatment plan. This included debridement of the necrotic skin, fat, and fascia, alongside intensive systemic infection control and nutritional support.
Between August 15th and 22nd, Reline faced a critical turn when she developed a sudden spike in fever, her skin turned pale, and she entered a severe state of infectious shock. The medical team responded rapidly by administering blood transfusions and replenishing platelets while implementing treatments to combat the infection and stabilize her circulation. After seven blood transfusions, her platelet and hemoglobin levels returned to normal. More than a month’s worth of debridement and dressing changes successfully eliminated a significant amount of necrotic tissue from her head and buttocks, effectively containing the infection.
After nearly two months of rigorous treatment, Reline’s swelling diminished, her overall condition significantly improved, vital signs stabilized, various infection indicators decreased, and her wounds began healing properly, marking a gradual recovery of her organ functions. On September 27th, Reline left the hospital, healthy and stable.
