Newborn Baby Dies in Surabaya After Allegedly Being Fed Raw Egg, Family Says
Infant Death in Surabaya Sparks Urgent Warnings Against Feeding Raw Eggs to Newborns
A 24-day-old infant named Alena died in Surabaya after being admitted to RSUD Dr. Soetomo on Friday, October 9, 2026, following a severe illness allegedly triggered by her grandmother feeding her raw eggs to lower a fever, detikHealth reported.
Alena’s condition deteriorated rapidly after she arrived at the hospital, requiring intensive care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). According to statements reported by Kumparan.com from East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak, the infant suffered a severe infection in her digestive tract before passing away on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 7:10 AM. The family’s ordeal first surfaced publicly through social media posts by the infant’s aunt, Calista Arisha, who detailed how the newborn was given raw eggs without the mother’s knowledge.
Medical experts immediately moved to clarify the severe risks associated with such practices. dr Denta, cited by detikHealth, warned that giving solid foods or eggs to a baby under one month old introduces high risks of choking, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, severe dehydration, and life-threatening infections.
IDAI Highlights Salmonella Contamination Risks in Raw Poultry Products
The Ikatan Dokter Anak Indonesia (IDAI) responded to the tragedy by issuing a formal reminder regarding the dangers of raw or half-cooked eggs for infants and young children. As reported by ANTARA News, IDAI Central Board Chairman Dr. dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A, Subsp. Kardio(K), emphasized that raw eggs can harbor Salmonella bacteria on both their outer shells and interior contents.
While older children typically experience diarrhea from salmonellosis, newborns possess very low resistance. Piprim explained that an infection in an infant can quickly escalate into severe systemic complications, including sepsis or meningitis. Kompas reported that IDAI strongly advocates for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, noting that introduction of complementary foods, or MPASI, should generally wait until six months of age under proper medical guidance.
When eggs are eventually introduced into a child’s diet as a protein source, IDAI mandates that they must be cooked thoroughly until both the white and the yolk are completely firm. Caregivers must also maintain strict kitchen hygiene to prevent cross-contamination and avoid using cracked or damaged eggs.
Differing Accounts and the Limits of Medical Confirmation
While family members and public statements point directly to the consumption of raw eggs as the catalyst for the crisis, institutional reports urge caution regarding the exact cause of death. Suara Surabaya noted that hospital administration at RSUD Dr. Soetomo confirmed the timeline of the infant’s three-day hospitalization and death, but did not formally release a definitive cause of death.
Kompas highlighted that because the hospital’s official determinations are still pending, direct causality between the raw egg ingestion and the fatality remains under clinical evaluation by the medical team. Deputy Governor Emil Dardak similarly emphasized to Kumparan.com that the public should leave final medical conclusions to the attending hospital specialists treating the severe gastrointestinal failure.
Family statements gathered by Suara Surabaya reveal the persistence of traditional myths in domestic childcare. The infant’s relative explained that the grandmother relied on folk beliefs regarding raw eggs as a fever reducer rather than administering standard pediatric medication.
Families with questions about infant nutrition or those seeking guidance on safe complementary feeding practices should consult certified pediatricians or maternal-child health clinics immediately.