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Neonatal Collapse

The inexplicable, sudden decline of a healthy-looking newborn is a terrifying thing to witness. It is a poorly-studied condition owing to its extreme rarity, and until recently has been untreatable. Sixteen occurrences have been recorded since medical recordkeeping on Galtern began in 9812 Oce (-37 Vol). The actual frequency may be either higher or lower--some of the recorded deaths may be attributable to other causes, and some collapses may have not have been reported.

Transmission & Vectors

If there is any positive aspect to neonatal collapse, it is that it is not transmissible. Exposure to an infant experiencing collapse has no lasting effect other than fear of it happening again. Someone who loses a baby to collapse can go on to have other children with no increased health risks.

Causes

The cause is unknown. The few recorded instances of collapse do not indicate any pattern of occurrence in ethnicity or environmental factors.

Symptoms

The first indicators of collapse occur during the first stage of birth, usually reported by the one giving birth as a tremor sensation. In the second stage, the baby emerges shaking, and deteriorates quickly. Mentioned frequently in the records is a sort of sympathetic tremor experienced by those nearby, but it does not persist after the death of the baby, suggesting that it is nothing more than the natural result of feelings of stress.

Treatment

The first and only successful stabilization of a collapse occurred in 2022 Vol, owing to a combination of fortuitous circumstances. The carrying parent was already under medical care, the baby was removed surgically and could receive prompt attention, and one of the staff had on hand a sample of powdered keetwood intended for study. Guessing it might help, and knowing it couldn't possibly make it worse, they prepared a solution and injected it. The infant improved dramatically and immediately.

Prognosis

Without immediate intervention, neonatal collapse is inevitably fatal. With only one case ever treated, it's not yet known what the long-term implications are for a child that survives a collapse. Continued treatment with Keelright appears to result in development without abnormal delays.

Rarity
Extremely Rare
Affected Species

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