Mumbai doctors revive premature baby born at 25 weeks

In a rare case, Mumbai-based doctors were able to revive a premature baby born at 25 weeks, weighing 800 grams

Heena Mishra (name changed), a 34-year-old homemaker from Mumbai, had been trying to conceive for ten years before successfully achieving pregnancy through IVF. However, her pregnancy was complicated by diabetes mellitus and anemia, and at 25 weeks, she experienced premature rupture of membranes, necessitating an emergency delivery.

The baby, born weighing just 800 grams, cried immediately after birth but required immediate ventilation due to severe respiratory distress. Dr. Nitu Mundhra, Consultant Neonatologist & Pediatrician at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, led a team to retrieve the baby from the referring hospital.

Upon arrival at the hospital, the baby received comprehensive care including medication for lung maturation and protection against infections and intraventricular hemorrhage. Despite developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) at four weeks, a serious gastrointestinal condition common in premature infants, the team managed the condition with total parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, and supportive treatment.

After 80 days in the NICU, the baby was discharged, weighing 1.8 kg, with normal neurological development and all tests within normal limits. The baby, now five months old, continues to achieve developmental milestones appropriate for his age.

Dr. Mundhra expressed her satisfaction, stating, "Treating a 25-week baby is extremely challenging, with new complications arising daily. I am grateful to our entire team, including neonatal fellows (Dr. Sagar and Dr. Shishir), Pediatric Registrars, Nurses, respiratory therapists, and physiotherapists, for their dedication. The smile on the parents' faces when we handed over their healthy baby is the greatest reward for our efforts."

“The arrival of our first child brought us immense joy, but it was short-lived due to complications faced by our premature baby. Fortunately, our little one is now thriving and reaching developmental milestones appropriate for his age. We thank the team of expert doctors who saved our baby’s life,” concluded Heena Mishra (name changed), mother of the baby.

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