Doctors Save 33-Week Preterm Baby With Rare NEC, Fungal Infection After Complex Surgeries

Doctors at a private hospital successfully managed a complex case involving a 33-week preterm infant diagnosed with Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC), severe sepsis, and a fungal infection caused by Candida parapsilosis.

The baby underwent an emergency exploratory laparotomy, where the damaged intestine was removed, and an ileostomy was performed, reported Pune Mirror. The post-operative phase was critical, requiring ventilator support, inotropes, and intensive antibiotic therapy. Due to short gut syndrome, nutrition was maintained through Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and specialised feeds, ensuring survival during recovery.

After stabilisation and weight gain, a second surgery was performed to restore bowel continuity through ileo-colic anastomosis. With coordinated care from neonatologists, surgeons, and critical care teams, the infant showed steady improvement. Now one year old, the child has achieved normal growth and development. Experts highlighted that timely intervention, multidisciplinary care, and advanced NICU support were key to the successful outcome, underscoring the importance of specialised neonatal management in high-risk cases.