Navi Mumbai, 07 August 2024: Two premature infants from Mauritius are back playing in the arms of their parents today, thanks to the expertise of the super-speciality paediatric cardiology team at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai. The infants, both born prematurely with rare and life-threatening complex congenital heart defects, underwent successful minimally invasive procedures performed by Dr. Bhushan Chavan, Senior Consultant in Paediatric Cardiology at the hospital.
Congenital heart disease is present at birth with the defects in the heart affecting the heart's structure and how it works. This can lead to serious life-threatening complications in new-borns. Congenital heart disease affects nearly 1% of all live births, making it the most common birth defect worldwide. In India alone, it is estimated that over 200,000 babies are born with congenital heart disease each year with one-fifth having a serious defect that needs an intervention in the first year of life.
The first infant, born prematurely at 34 weeks and weighing just 1.5 kg, was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. This complex condition severely restricts blood flow to the lungs, leaving the baby with a bluish tinge – a “blue baby.” The second infant, also premature and weighing 2 kg, presented with multiple cardiac anomalies further complicated by situs inversus, a condition where the heart is on the right side of the chest.
Both infants were on Prostin, a medication that maintains an infant's heart function and keeps them clinically stable until the corrective procedure can be performed. This allowed them to travel to Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai for advanced cardiac intervention. At the hospital, the infants were evaluated and it was decided to perform minimally-invasive catheter-based intervention to treat the heart defect.
Dr. Bhushan Chavan, Sr. Consultant - Pediatric Cardiology, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai said, “These cases were particularly challenging due to the infants' prematurity and the complexity of their conditions. The rare combination of heart defects in the two cases required meticulous planning and execution and I'm incredibly proud of our dedicated team who worked on these cases. The cutting-edge infrastructure at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai allowed us to perform these intricate procedures successfully."
In the first case of the infant with Tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia, the valve controlling blood flow from the heart to the lungs (pulmonary valve) was completely blocked. To restore the blood flow, Dr. Chavan inserted a catheter, equipped with a deflated balloon and a stent (a tiny, expandable mesh tube) at its tip, through the femoral vein, guiding it carefully into the heart. Once the catheter reached the narrowed area, the balloon was inflated, widening the passage. The stent acts as a scaffold to keep the passage open permanently allowing oxygen-rich blood to flow from the heart to the lungs, correcting the infant's blue baby syndrome and giving them a chance to thrive.
The unique challenge in the second infant due to the multiple heart defects and heart on the right side made the already delicate procedure more difficult. Using advanced imaging technology for real-time guidance, Dr Chavan navigated a catheter through the blood vessels to reach the heart and placed two stents within the PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) to ensure proper blood flow within the heart.
With Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai equipped with state-of-the-art child-friendly infrastructure equipped to handle 24X7 emergencies, both infants recovered swiftly and were discharged within days of their procedures, breathing without assistance and free from continuous medication. While the first infant will likely require further surgeries as they grow, the second infant, with more complex issues, will need ongoing monitoring and potential future interventions.
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) & Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) are equipped and staffed to provide care to critically sick children & newborns including premature and tiny babies. Experienced Pediatric Intensivists are available round the clock to support sick children and provide the highest level of medical care. To provide comprehensive end-to-end care for children, we have a team of pediatric sub-specialists providing specialty pediatric care all under one roof. The Pediatric Surgeons at Apollo Hospitals have the expertise in performing pediatric surgeries ranging from simple to complex, and are the leaders in advanced minimally invasive procedures for infants and children.
Mr. Arunesh Punetha, Regional CEO - Western Region, Apollo Hospitals said, "At Apollo Hospitals, we are deeply committed to providing the highest standard of care to every patient regardless of age or the complexity of the case. These preterm infants travelled thousands of miles to receive the specialized care we provide, and their successful outcomes speak volumes about the skill, compassion, and dedication of Dr. Chavan and our entire paediatric cardiac team. We are immensely proud to offer hope and healing to families facing the challenges of congenital heart disease, reaffirming our commitment to bringing world-class healthcare within everyone's reach."
Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai understands the stress and uncertainty families face when travelling for complex medical care to a new country and offers comprehensive support to ease their healing journey. A dedicated international patient team assists with visa applications, travel arrangements, and accommodation to make their stay as comfortable as possible while language interpreters ensure clear communication. From pre-arrival guidance to post-discharge follow-up care, the patient and their families experience a seamless and supportive path to recovery.
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