A miraculous story has emerged from Pune, where a micro-preemie baby, born at just 26 weeks and weighing a mere 600 grams, fought through numerous health challenges to survive. Born severely premature with underdeveloped organs, the tiny newborn faced a difficult journey to stability. Her parents, watching helplessly, witnessed doctors tirelessly work to support their fragile baby, who finally grew strong enough to go home after months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Ankura Hospitals, Pune, described the case as “unique and the first of its kind” in the city. Led by Dr. Umesh Vaidya, along with Dr. Siddharth Madabhushi and Dr. Anusha Rao, the medical team was prepared for the challenges of delivering such a tiny, early baby.
“Micro-preemies are born before 26 weeks, with extremely low birth weight, often below 750 grams. Thanks to advancements in neonatal care, survival rates for these babies have significantly improved,” said Dr. Vaidya, Ankura’s Group Director and Head Neonatologist.
The journey was challenging. The baby experienced respiratory distress, anemia of prematurity, brittle bones (osteopenia), eye issues (retinopathy), and feeding intolerance.
“She was put on ventilatory support for five days and received respiratory assistance for a month,” explained Dr. Rao, a consultant neonatologist.
After two weeks, kangaroo care—skin-to-skin contact with her mother—began, aiding her development. By 34 weeks, she could start taking oral feeds.
After 70 days in the NICU, the resilient little girl had gained enough strength and weighed 1.5 kg. Her follow-up tests, including hearing, ultrasound, and blood tests, showed healthy results. Dr. Madabhushi emphasized that the “gentle handling and excellent nursing care were crucial for her neurodevelopmental health and preventing infection.”
Today, this brave baby is thriving, and her family is grateful to the doctors who saved her life. This case highlights the importance of advanced neonatal care and the impact of compassionate medical support for the tiniest fighters.
Good Story 👍
Thank you Sir