LUCKNOW: In a remarkable medical feat, doctors at the Vivekanand Polyclinic and Institute of Medical Sciences have successfully granted a new lease on life to a 45-day-old newborn. The infant, brought from Uttarakhand by her parents in critical condition, underwent a series of life-saving interventions and a complex surgical procedure.
A Battle Against Multiple Complications
According to Senior Pediatrician Dr. Neeta Bhargava, the infant was born with multiple congenital and life-threatening conditions. Upon arrival at the hospital, the baby presented with:
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Cleft Palate: A birth defect affecting the roof of the mouth.
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Laryngomalacia: Softening of the tissues of the larynx (voice box), causing breathing issues.
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Sepsis & Renal Failure: A severe systemic infection and non-functional kidneys.
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Asphyxiation: The baby’s tongue was found inverted and stuck, leading to severe oxygen deprivation (cyanosis) and seizures.
“The primary challenge was the baby’s extreme fragility. With oxygen levels dropping and brain activity affected, we had to act with precision to save her life,” stated Dr. Bhargava.
The Medical Intervention
The hospital’s specialized team, led by Dr. Amit Agarwal (Head of Plastic Surgery), Dr. Neeta Bhargava (Pediatrics), and Dr. Sachin Verma (ICU In-charge), immediately commenced treatment. The team first successfully repositioned the tongue to clear the airway. Due to her inability to breathe independently, the infant was placed on ventilator support for one week.
After nearly 20 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the baby’s condition stabilized, and she showed significant weight gain. She has now been shifted to the general ward and is being fed via a tube. An MRI was also conducted to assess the impact of oxygen deprivation on her brain.
‘Narayan Seva’: Free Treatment for the Underprivileged
The surgery and intensive care were provided entirely free of cost under the Government of India’s Project Smile Train.
Swami Muktinathananda, Secretary of Vivekanand Polyclinic and Institute of Medical Sciences, shared that the President of the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama in Dehradun had referred the case to Lucknow as the parents were unable to afford the high costs of treatment.
“In corporate hospitals, such complex procedures can cost between ₹25 to ₹50 lakhs. At our facility, the standard cost is approximately ₹5 lakhs, but for this family, it was completely waived. We view medical service as Narayan Seva (Service to God),” said Swami Muktinathananda.
Next Steps
Doctors confirmed that the infant is currently healthy and recovering well. She will undergo a final corrective surgery for her cleft palate once she reaches 9 months of age, after which she is expected to lead a perfectly normal life.
