In a groundbreaking medical procedure, a 19-day-old infant has been successfully treated for a severe brain hemorrhage at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital in Parel, Mumbai. The baby, named Samarth Agare, was diagnosed with an intracranial aneurysm—a dangerous bulge in a brain blood vessel that threatened severe brain damage.
Samarth, believed to be the youngest patient in India to undergo this procedure, received a cutting-edge treatment known as coil embolization. This minimally invasive technique involves inserting platinum coils into the aneurysm to prevent it from bursting. The procedure was performed by a skilled team of doctors at the hospital’s pediatric unit.
The infant’s condition had deteriorated rapidly. After initially being admitted to Apollo Hospital in Badlapur with a fever and infection, Samarth was transferred to Wadia Hospital when his symptoms worsened. He was placed on oxygen support due to respiratory distress and developed sepsis. Despite extensive testing, the cause of his infection remained unclear.
An MRI scan on day 16 revealed a balloon-like aneurysm in his brain, measuring approximately 9.7 x 9.5 x 8.3 mm, and confirmed a rupture with surrounding bleeding—a condition known as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Dr. Rashmi Saraf, a senior pediatric neurointerventional radiologist at Wadia, noted that this type of bleeding is extremely rare in newborns.
Due to the infant’s delicate condition, traditional open neurosurgery was deemed too risky. Instead, the team opted for endovascular coiling, a less invasive alternative. This technique involved navigating catheters from the groin through the arteries to the brain, without the need for open surgery.
Following the surgery, Samarth was closely monitored in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Five days post-operation, he was successfully weaned off the breathing machine and began breathing independently.
Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO of Wadia Hospital, hailed the procedure as a significant advancement in pediatric interventional neuroradiology. “This procedure highlights our commitment to using cutting-edge techniques and state-of-the-art facilities to provide exceptional care,” she stated. “Our team’s expertise and compassionate care have been instrumental in navigating this complex case.”
Samarth was discharged by the end of July and continues to attend follow-up appointments. His father, Jai Agare, expressed gratitude for the life-saving treatment. “Dr. Rashmi and the team helped us understand the process, and we are grateful for their care,” he said.
