Preterm baby born in 24th week undergoes surgery in Mumbai

A preterm baby born in the 24th week, weighing 620 grams, underwent a surgery for suffering from multiple holes in the stomach. The surgery was conducted in the last week of February. The baby girl is now recovering in the PICU ward of Jaslok Hospital and will be discharged by next week.

An average baby is born in 36 weeks, whereas Antara (name changed) was born on February 10, in the 24th week and weighed around 700 grams. According to the doctor treating her, her complications were far more than premature babies.

Her health issues included difficulty in breathing and she was put on a ventilator for a few days. Twenty days after her birth, it was detected that she had stomach perforation — multiples holes in her stomach. She gradually lost weight from 730 grams and was operated when she was 620 grams.

Dr Fazal Nabi, consultant pediatrician and intensive at Jaslok Hospital, said, "This is an unusual case. The multiple holes in the stomach (stomach perforation) was unexpected and suddenly detected after 20 days of her birth. We had to immediately do an operation after monitoring her medical condition. In such cases, 40 per cent of the babies die due to septic shock. After the surgery, she has now gained 1,500 gm of weight. Since she is a preterm baby born in the 24th week, she was fed through gastrostomy feeds. We have now managed her fluctuating oxygen saturation, bleeding in brain and lungs."

Panvel-based Antara's mother, who does not wish to be named, said, "She is still on minimum breathing support. There are no precautionary measures given by the doctor post-discharge."