Philippines record first quintuplet births

MANILA, Philippines, April 27 (UPI) -- Premature quintuplets -- reportedly the first ever born alive in the Philippines -- were precariously clinging to life Monday, doctors said.

Lorita Barrera, 27, of Cavite gave birth to the five babies via Caesarean section Sunday in Manila, The Philippine Star reported. She said she and her husband Gary had expected quadruplets, based on her ultrasound results, the Philippine network ABS-CBN reported.

The babies were placed in incubators, with at least three of them struggling with underdeveloped lungs. Two were reported to have pneumonia.

"There's a chance that they will survive as long as there are no complications. They're only 33 weeks old so their lungs aren't fully developed," one doctor said.

Dr. Jolynne de Leon told the Star two of the babies were in critical condition and the other three were unstable but improving.

She said it was the first recorded case of quintuplet birth in the country, with all the babies alive.

The babies had not yet been given names so doctors referred to them as babies A, B, C, D and E. Their weights ranged from 3.09 pounds down to 2.32 pounds.

The parents are unemployed.

"We don't know how we're going to support them," the mother said a day after giving birth at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

Welfare officials said the government would provide the family financial support, including medical assistance and milk for the infants.