Kolkata: In a rare and high-risk medical case, doctors at Manipal Hospital, Salt Lake — part of the Manipal Hospitals Network, one of India’s leading healthcare providers — successfully saved the lives of a 32-year-old woman from Howrah and her baby after an emergency caesarean section.
The patient, in her fourth pregnancy at 35+ weeks, was admitted on 1st September 2025 under the care of Dr. Nandini Chakrabarti, Consultant Obstetrician, Manipal Hospital Saltlake, with sudden and severe shortness of breath. Though she had been on routine follow-ups at a government hospital, her condition rapidly deteriorated, requiring advanced critical care.
She had a history of tubercular pericardial effusion, a rare complication where tuberculosis causes fluid accumulation around the heart. Having developed pulmonary tuberculosis in 2019, she had been started on anti-tubercular treatment again from August 2025. Investigations revealed that her heart was functioning at only 30% of normal strength with significantly reduced pumping capacity. Meanwhile, obstetric assessment showed severe foetal growth restriction and signs of distress.
Recognizing the urgency, a multidisciplinary team of obstetrics, cardiology, anaesthesiology, and neonatology coordinated immediate intervention. After counselling her family, the doctors decided on an emergency lower segment caesarean section (LSCS).
Within 15 minutes of surgery under general anaesthesia, a 2.1 kg baby was delivered, showing signs of distress due to thick, greenish amniotic fluid. The newborn required resuscitation and ventilation support for Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) but recovered steadily and was off ventilation by Day 2 in the NICU.
The mother remained intubated overnight to prevent cardiac failure and was carefully managed on fluid and salt restriction. She was successfully extubated the following day. By the sixth postoperative day, both mother and baby were stable, and they were discharged on the tenth day of admission.
Speaking about the case, Dr. Nandini Chakrabarti said:
“This was an extremely complex case, as the mother was battling a rare TB-related cardiac condition alongside severe foetal compromise. Thanks to timely decision-making and seamless teamwork between our obstetrics, cardiology, anaesthesiology, and neonatal departments, we were able to save both lives.”
This case underscores Manipal Hospital Saltlake’s commitment to advanced maternal and neonatal care. By integrating expertise across specialties with state-of-the-art ICU facilities, emergency labs, and advanced obstetric imaging, the hospital continues to deliver compassionate and precise care in even the rarest and most life-threatening emergencies.
