Doctors at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow successfully performed a complex medical procedure on a six-week-old underweight baby, fulfilling a woman's long-cherished desire for motherhood. After 76 days of intensive medical care, the newborn was discharged in stable condition on Friday.
Patient's History
Reshma Maurya, a native of Ambedkarnagar, had lost 13 pregnancies to various complications prior to this one. The baby was born at just 34 weeks, approximately five weeks before the average pregnancy term, and developed severe respiratory distress requiring ventilator support.
Medical Intervention
Prof Mandakini Pradhan, head of maternal and reproductive health, explained that cardiologists diagnosed a large congenital heart defect called Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). In this condition, the blood vessel that normally closes after birth remains open, causing abnormal blood flow and exerting life-threatening pressure on the heart and lungs.
When medication failed to improve the condition, a team led by interventional cardiologist Dr Ankit Sahu performed a procedure to repair the defect. Dr Sahu stated, "We undertook the procedure to close the abnormal vessel. Since the baby was too small and fragile, weighing only 2.2 kg, we used a Piccolo device — a tiny medical implant for a specialised minimally invasive procedure — to save the baby from the risk of open-heart surgery."
Recovery and Outcome
The baby showed steady recovery after the procedure and recovered fully. The relieved father, Mahendra Maurya, expressed gratitude: "Our wish was finally fulfilled with the help of doctors and medical personnel." Recalling her pain, Reshma said, "The journey was tough, but hope prevailed."
Prof Aditya Kapoor, head of intervention cardiology, commented, "The case highlights our expertise in handling complex neonatal cardiac cases." Director of SGPGI, Prof RK Dhiman, praised the coordinated efforts of the obstetric, neonatal, and cardiology teams.
