1.1 kg newborn with duodenal atresia gets new lease of life at AIIMS Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable feat of medical expertise, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar gave a new lease of life to a 1.1 kg very low birth weight newborn suffering from duodenal atresia, an extremely rare condition.

The infant was born prematurely with duodenal atresia in the hospital, a congenital anomaly characterized by a blockage in the first part of the small intestine known as the duodenum. 

This condition, occurring in approximately 1 in 10,000 live births, poses a significant threat to the newborn's life if not promptly addressed.

Upon admission to the AIIMS Bhubaneswar Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the baby was in critical condition, facing the challenges of prematurity and the life-threatening complications associated with duodenal atresia.

"The case presented a unique set of challenges due to the extreme prematurity of the baby coupled with the complexity of duodenal atresia," Dr. Manoj Mohanty, said.

The surgical procedure involved intricate techniques aimed at rectifying the obstruction in the duodenum and restoring the normal flow of nutrients through the digestive tract.

Despite the inherent risks associated with operating on such a fragile newborn, the surgical team exhibited exceptional skill and precision throughout the procedure.

Following the successful surgery, the newborn was closely monitored in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a team of Neonatology doctors, led by Dr. Tapas Som, provided round-the-clock care to ensure the baby's stable recovery.

"We are thrilled to report that the newborn has responded exceptionally well to treatment and is making steady progress towards recovery," remarked Dr Manoj Mohanty, reports news agency UNI.

A similar case, 1.1kg premature baby with jejunal atresia was successfully managed by the same team a few weeks ago.