Chandigarh
14 June 2023
DIVYA AZAD
The Department of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Hospital Mohali, saved the life of a 5-day-old newborn who was born with complex congenital heart defect, was extremely underweight – 1.7 kgs and was suffering from severe respiratory problems. Due to the extremely low level of oxygen in his blood (cyanosis), the baby had bluish discoloration around the lips. His condition had been deteriorating with each passing day. The team of doctors led by Dr Rajat Gupta, Senior Consultant, Department of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Hospital Mohali, recently performed Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) stenting on the baby. PDA Stenting is a minimally-invasive procedure for babies born with complex heart defects.
Post birth, the baby had trouble breathing along with feed intolerance. The worried family rushed him to Dr Gupta at Fortis Mohali recently.Medical examination and an echocardiography test showed that the baby had a complex heart disease wherein the right side of his heart was not formed well and the artery to the lungs had been blocked completely. The Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), which was taking blood to the lungs to get more oxygen, was shrinking, it was crucial to keep this artery open to save the newborns life.
The team of doctors led by Dr Gupta performed Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) stenting, wherein a stent was placed in the baby’s shrinking artery through a small hole in the thigh. This allowed continuous blood flow to his lungs. The baby’s condition stabilised over the next two days and he was discharged six days after the procedure. Post discharge, the baby has started taking his feed normally.
Discussing the case, Dr Gupta, said, “The baby will need two more cardiac surgeries to separate the blue and red blood circulation, which are currently getting mixed in his heart. Early detection of congenital heart defects is crucial for a baby’s survival. Sometimes, the heart is so malformed that it cannot be fully repaired even with multiple surgeries. In such a scenario, a series of surgical procedures can improve the blood flow, thereby improving the symptoms and prolonging life.”
Congenial Heart Defects occur in 8-10 cases per 1,000 births. One third of these babies have a serious heart condition and require heart surgery or intervention within the first month or first year of life. A delay in timely treatment can pose a serious threat to the child’s life.
The Department of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences at Fortis Mohali is the only centre in the region to receive patients not only from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, but also from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Mongolia and South Africa.
