Kolkata, December 20, 2025: In a remarkable display of advanced neonatal care and clinical expertise, Fortis Hospital Anandapur successfully treated and discharged a critically ill preterm baby born at 35 weeks of gestation, who was battling severe respiratory distress and a rare, drug-resistant bacterial infection. Led by Dr. Sumita Saha, Consultant – Paediatrics & Neonatology, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur,Kolkata, the multidisciplinary NICU team provided timely, coordinated, and intensive care that gave the infant a new lease of life.
Born at a city hospital weighing approximately 2 kilograms, the newborn developed significant breathing difficulties shortly after birth and requiredventilator support within the first 24 hours. As the baby’s need for oxygen and ventilatory assistance rapidly escalated, the newborn was urgently transferred to Fortis Hospital Anandapur for advanced neonatal management.
Upon admission at Fortis Anandapur, the baby’s condition was extremely critical — requiring very high ventilation pressures and 100% oxygen to maintain basic vital functions. The neonatal team immediately initiated intensive monitoring and specialized life-support measures. The newborn remained on invasive ventilation for almost 16 days.
During treatment, the team diagnosed a rare and highly challenging infection caused by Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, a bacterium known for its resistance to multiple antibiotics. The infection had pushed the baby into shock, necessitating continuous medications to stabilize blood pressure and heart function. An umbilical venous catheter was inserted to deliver critical medications and fluids essential for survival.
Compounding the complexity of the case, the newborn was also diagnosed with:
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): a heart condition that causes excess blood flow to the lungs
- Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN): a serious condition where the newborn’s lungs fail to transition after birth, causing dangerously low oxygen levels
Both conditions were managed successfully through timely and precise medical interventions by the Fortis neonatal team.
Despite multiple life-threatening complications, the baby gradually began to respond to treatment. After 16 days, the newborn was gradually shifted from invasive ventilation to non-invasive respiratory support, first through CPAP and later via high-flow nasal oxygen. With each passing day, the baby’s lungs and heart recovered, supported by the coordinated efforts of the NICU team, round-the-clock care, and the unwavering strength of the parents. After 36 days in the NICU, the newbornwas discharged- healthy, stable, and breathing independently.
Giving details of the case, Dr. Sumita Saha, Consultant – Paediatrics & Neonatology, Fortis Hospital Anandapur said, “This was one of the most challenging neonatal cases we have managed. The combination of severe respiratory distress coupled with a rare, multi-drug-resistant infection, and cardiac complications made the situation extremely critical. It was the teamwork of our NICU staff, timely interventions, and the extraordinary resilience of the child and parents that made this recovery possible.”
Ashish Mukherjee, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Kolkata said, “This heartwarming success story underscores Fortis Hospital Anandapur’s commitment to delivering advanced neonatal care with empathy and clinical excellence. The case stands as a testament to the hospital’s cutting-edge clinical capabilities and its mission to give every newborn — no matter how fragile — the best possible chance at life.”
