Critically ill preterm baby overcomes life-threatening abdominal complication, pneumonia, and infection after 35 days of intensive neonatal care –
Kolkata, 3 June, 2026: In a remarkable case highlighting the importance of timely medical intervention and advanced neonatal care, doctors at Fortis Hospital Anandapur successfully saved a critically ill premature baby born at just 32 weeks of gestation. The newborn was battling a rare condition – severe abdominal fluid accumulation (ascites) along with a life-threatening intestinal perforation. These critical health conditions can rapidly compromise breathing, trigger severe infection, and prove fatal, if not treated immediately. The team of doctors led by Dr. Sumita Saha, Consultant- Paediatrics & Neonatology, Fortis Hospital Anandapur acted swiftly, providing specialised neonatal intensive care and two emergency surgeries.
The mother was also suffering from complications including high blood pressure and acute pain in the abdomen. Due to these complications, the baby was delivered prematurely at 32 weeks. Almost immediately after birth, the baby had a markedly distended abdomen, with a large amount of fluid and air present in the abdomen, requiring ventilation. After two days, the condition of the baby deteriorated further as a result of severe swelling in the abdomen caused by a hole in the intestine as the baby’s first stool and air had leaked into the abdomen, starting to affect the respiratory functions.
Detailed investigations revealed an abnormal twisting of the intestine along with a hole in it, resulting in discharge of its contents into the abdomen. A four-hour-long laparotomy was performed because the baby had a complete blockage in the intestine, along with a hole in the bowel that caused stool, fluid, and air to leak into the stomach area. During the surgery, the doctors opened the stomach area, drained the leaked contents, cleaned it thoroughly with saline, repaired the hole, removed the blocked part of the intestine, and joined the healthy ends back together before closing the wound. The baby showed encouraging signs of improvement following the first surgery.
However, four days later, another hole developed in the bowel, necessitating a second surgery to reopen the abdomen, clean the affected area, and repair the new hole. The baby remained on ventilator support for nearly 10 days and subsequently developed pneumonia, a common complication in such critical cases. Complications including internal bleeding and infection further added to the risk. However, with close monitoring, timely antibiotics and intensive neonatal care, the baby gradually began to recover and was discharged in a stable condition in 35 days.
Giving details of the case, Dr. Sumita Saha, Consultant- Paediatrics & Neonatology, Fortis Hospital Anandapur, said, “At such an early stage of life, every minute is critical. The baby’s abdomen was severely distended, compressing the lungs and making breathing extremely difficult. Immediate surgical intervention was the only way forward. If treatment had been delayed, the chances of survival would have been extremely low. Early diagnosis, prompt surgeries and coordinated ICU care made all the difference.”
Mr. Ashish Mukherjee, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Anandapur said, “Our team is equipped to handle some of the most complex and high-risk neonatal cases, backed by advanced infrastructure and a highly skilled multidisciplinary team. This case is a testament to the hospital’s readiness to respond swiftly in critical situations and deliver specialised care when it matters most. Such outcomes reflect our continued commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centric care. This is indeed an excellent example of medical triumph. The case highlights the significance of neonatal care in the case of complicated births and shows that any situation can be salvaged through expertise and prompt actions.”
