Kathmandu, November 20:

In a rare case of its kind, a woman from Baglung today gave birth to quadruplets at the Prashuti Griha at Thapathali.

Doctors said the health of all the infants born to Kamala Karki, 20, is at risk. They said the two sons born later are in more danger than the two daughters born before them.

Karki was brought to the Patan Hospital after doctors at the Gandaki hospital found out that she was going to have quadruplets.

A resident of Baglung Municipality-5, Karki gave birth to the quadruplets at around 1 am for the first time after she got married with Hikmat Bahadur Karki four years ago.

“Due to premature birth and comparatively less weight, the sons are having respiratory problems, Dr Karma Bhurtel said.

He also said the weight of the babies ranges from 1.5 kg to 1.7 kg, while the average weight of a normal baby is 2.5 kg.

“Interestingly, the delivery was good. The mother’s condition is very good and she can walk. She is on antibiotics,” said Krishna Bista, the staff nurse at the hospital.

Though birth of twins is common in the hospital, birth of triplets and quadruplets is a rare sight, said Dr Rasila Amatya. “This is the first time I have witnessed the birth of quadruplets in my seven-year long service,” Dr Amatya said. When doctors are worried about the babies’ health, Karki and her family members also have a different reason to fret about. They are worried how to rear the foursome.

“We would like to request organisations and government bodies for their support in bringing up the babies as our family is financially not sound,” said Sumitra Khadka, Karki’s aunt.

Karki also told this daily that she was sad and worried “because bringing up so many children would be a difficult task for people like us.”