In a powerful example of advanced neonatal care in Kolkata, doctors at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati, successfully saved the life of a premature baby girl born at just 27 weeks of pregnancy, weighing only 760 grams.
Delivered at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati, the newborn was in a highly critical condition immediately after birth as she developed severe breathing difficulty, requiring mechanical ventilation. Managing such an extremely low birth-weight baby posed major challenges for the neonatal team led by Dr. Akhileshwar Narayan Chowdhury, Consultant – Pediatric Medicine, with the condition of the baby needing to be closely monitored round-the-clock in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
During the course of treatment, the baby developed abdominal swelling and green vomiting, the warning signs of a serious internal problem. Further evaluation revealed a blockage in the intestine, a life-threatening condition in premature babies, especially those weighing less than one kilogram.
The parents were counselled in detail about the baby’s condition and the urgent need for surgery. A multidisciplinary surgical team was quickly formed at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati, led by Dr. Goutam Chakraborty, Consultant – Pediatric & Neonatal Surgery, supported by Dr. Rashmi Shahi (Senior Consultant – Anaesthesiology) and Dr. Ruchi (Consultant – Anaesthesia). The surgery required exceptional precision, as operating on such a tiny and fragile 760 gm newborn demanded specialised instruments and extreme care.
Despite the successful surgery, the baby continued to battle issues like sepsis, breathing difficulties, low protein levels, and eye-related complications. The neonatal team remained vigilant throughout this entire critical phase. Dr. Premanjan Bhattacharjee, Consultant – Ophthalmology, intervened in time with a specialised eye injection to manage any vision-related risks.
Dr. Akhileshwar Narayan Chowdhury said, “Babies born this early and with such low birth weight require extremely close monitoring and timely interventions. Every small improvement matters. This baby’s recovery reflects not only her fighting spirit but also the strength of coordinated neonatal care available here in Howrah.”
After nearly two months of intensive care and constant monitoring at the hospital, the baby gradually improved with time, gained strength, and was discharged in stable condition.
Echoing similar views, Dr. Goutam Chakraborty said, “Performing surgery on a 760-gram newborn is one of the most demanding challenges in neonatal surgery. The success of this case was possible due to careful planning, specialised equipment, and seamless teamwork across departments at our hospital.”
Mr. Tapani Ghosh, Facility Director, Narayana Hospital, Howrah & Chunavati, said, “This case truly reflects the kind of care our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati, is equipped to provide. With advanced facilities and a dedicated multidisciplinary team of neonatal and pediatric specialists, we can handle extremely critical newborn cases and support families during some of their most difficult moments.”