Howrah:In a remarkable demonstration of advanced neonatal care in Howrah, doctors at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati successfully saved the life of a critically premature baby girl born at just 27 weeks of gestation, weighing only 760 grams.
The baby was delivered at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati, and developed severe breathing difficulties immediately after birth. She required mechanical ventilation and continuous monitoring in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Managing an extremely low birth-weight newborn posed significant challenges for the neonatal team led by Dr. Akhileshwar Narayan Chowdhury, Consultant – Pediatric Medicine, who closely supervised the baby’s condition round-the-clock.
During treatment, the newborn developed alarming symptoms, including abdominal swelling and greenish vomiting—indicators of a serious internal complication. Further medical evaluation revealed an intestinal blockage, a life-threatening condition commonly seen in extremely premature babies, particularly those weighing less than one kilogram.
The parents were promptly counselled, and an emergency surgical intervention was planned. A multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Goutam Chakraborty, Consultant – Pediatric & Neonatal Surgery, along with Dr. Rashmi Shahi (Senior Consultant – Anaesthesiology) and Dr. Ruchi (Consultant – Anaesthesia), successfully performed the high-risk surgery. Operating on a 760-gram newborn required exceptional precision, specialised instruments, and meticulous coordination.
Despite a successful surgery, the baby faced multiple post-operative challenges, including sepsis, respiratory complications, low protein levels, and eye-related risks. The neonatal care team remained vigilant throughout the critical recovery phase. Dr. Premanjan Bhattacharjee, Consultant – Ophthalmology, intervened in time with a specialised eye injection to prevent potential vision-related complications.
Commenting on the case, 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 at our hospital.”
Echoing similar views, Dr. Goutam Chakraborty said,
“Performing surgery on a 760-gram newborn is among 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.”
After nearly two months of intensive care, the baby gradually gained strength and was discharged from the hospital in stable condition.
Tapani Ghosh, Facility Director, Narayana Hospital, Howrah & Chunavati, said,
“This case reflects the advanced capabilities of our NICU at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati. With state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated multidisciplinary team, we are equipped to manage extremely critical newborn cases and support families during their most challenging moments.”
