Mumbai doctors save the life of 23-week old baby weighing over 600 grams in NICU

A team of expert obstetricians and neonatologists at a Mumbai hospital have achieved a remarkable milestone by saving the life of a micropreemie born at just 23 weeks of gestation weighing over 600 grams After spending more than 100 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit NICU the baby was discharged in good health weighing 22 kgThe team including Dr Pratima Thamke consultant Obstetrics Motherhood Hospitals Kharghar Dr Anish Pillai lead consultant Neonatology amp Pediatrics Dr Sanju Sidaraddi and Dr Amit Ghawade Consultant Neonatology and Pediatrics Motherhood Hospitals Kharghar along with their team of NICU junior consultants staff and nurses helped carry out the successful deliveryThe journey started with Neha name changed a 37yearold firsttime mother who experienced mild spotting during her first trimester With rest and proper care her pregnancy stabilised At 22 weeks the mother started experiencing heaviness in her lower abdomen along with unusual discharge Tests showed that her cervix the opening of the uterus had shortened to 28 cm with signs of opening which increased the risk of preterm labour To prevent this doctors performed a cervical cerclage a procedure where the cervix is stitched to keep it closed and advised strict bed rest with medication to control contractions Things took a turn at 23 weeks when Neha developed a urinary tract infection pain and discharge Despite treatment and injections to help the babyrsquos lungs develop her condition worsened After five days Neha experienced heavy bleeding and doctors found that the stitches had cut through her cervix which had started to open After a detailed discussion with Neha and her family the doctors decided to proceed with an emergency cesarean delivery Csection understanding the high risks of preterm birth including the chance of losing the baby At just 23 weeks and 5 days Neha delivered a baby boy weighing 680 grams Babies born this early before 24 weeks have a very low chance of survival as their organs like the lungs brain and immune system are still very underdevelopedldquoThis case highlights the critical importance of early intervention and continuous monitoring during highrisk pregnanciesrdquo said Dr Pratima Thamke Consultant Obstetrician Motherhood Hospitals Kharghar continuing ldquoFrom addressing Neharsquos complications during her first trimester to managing the challenges of extreme prematurity this journey underscores the need for vigilant care and tailored medical solutions It is immensely fulfilling to witness a positive outcome for both mother and baby reaffirming our commitment to providing exceptional care at Motherhood HospitalsrdquoDr Anish Pillai Lead Consultant Neonatology and Pediatrics Motherhood Hospital Kharghar said ldquoThe internal organs like lungs digestive system brain and immune system are extremely immature before 24 weeks gestation Caring for these babies during the initial few weeks is very challenging The best neonatal units across the globe report a survival rate of 3040 per cent for infants born at 23 weeks gestationGiven the high risk the medical teams prompt response became crucial Neha delivered a baby boy weighing only 680 grams who was immediately placed in the incubator under the specialised care of the Motherhood neonatal team led by Dr PillaiThe baby faces multiple complications associated with extreme prematurity including respiratory distress syndrome patent ductus arteriosus PDA anemia of prematurity chronic lung disease and retinopathy of prematurity ROP These conditions were effectively treated with medications and timely therapy Additionally a minor intraventricular hemorrhage was detected on the first brain ultrasound scan which resolved over time Throughout his NICU stay the babyrsquos care included continuous skintoskin contact Kangaroo Mother Care and exclusive human milk support When maternal milk was insufficient pasteurized donor human milk was provided to ensure optimal nutrition during the critical early daysldquoEvery day in the NICU was a testament to the strength of this little fighter and the unwavering belief of his parentsrdquo said Dr Pillai ldquoTogether we overcame unprecedented challenges showcasing the power of hope and resilience in the face of adversity Over the course of three months the babyrsquos condition steadily improved Despite an initial weight drop to under 600 grams he began to thrive after crossing the 1 kg milestone By the time of discharge the baby weighed 226 kg with normal results in brain ultrasound hearing tests and neurological assessments He is now feeding well gaining weight and achieving ageappropriate milestonesrdquoAvinash name changed who is the father of the baby said ldquoThe love and affection we received from the entire Motherhood team was truly heartwarming We never felt like patients instead our time here felt like being with family We are deeply grateful to all the experts because of whom our baby boy is now thriving even after facing numerous challenges The dedication and care extended by the staff was remarkablemdashmany who were off duty still came regularly to check on our baby showing genuine concern and love that went far beyond their professional responsibilitiesThe NICU team highlighted the importance of regular followups to monitor the babyrsquos growth and development This extraordinary case exemplifies the challenges of managing extreme prematurely and underscores the significance of specialised neonatal care It serves as a beacon of hope for families navigating similar circumstances