Born in 24th week, Mumbai baby pulls through after almost a year on ventilator

Mumbai city news: Doctors from the hospital said underdeveloped organs and chronic lung disease proved to be major challenges in his treatment.

Suraj Singh is a fighter.

Baby Suraj now weighs 7kg. (HT)

Born in the 24th week of pregnancy and weighing 735 gms, the infant was one of the most underdeveloped babies in the city. But after spending 300 days on ventilator support, Suraj’s neurological and pulmonary conditions stabilised. The now 7-kg baby was recently discharged from Surya hospital in Mumbai.

His parents, Sunita and Anil Singh, who waited for a child for a decade, are now relieved.

Doctors from the hospital said underdeveloped organs and chronic lung disease proved to be major challenges in his treatment.

The baby when he was born. (HT)

“He was diagnosed with chronic lung infection while on ventilator and had other major health complications which needed immediate surgical intervention. In other cases, doctors remove ventilator support after initial recovery and send the baby home. With Suraj being too young and fragile, we had no option but to treat him on ventilator support,” said Dr BS Avasthi

“The baby could survive because of constant neonatal support and intensive care units. We need to increase the number of neonatal beds in the city to save premature babies,” said Dr Avasthi.