2-days-old newborn with complex life-threatening condition of persistent high blood pressure in lungs successfully treated at Fortis Escorts

Jaipur, 02 September 2022: A two-day-old newborn baby suffering from persistent high blood pressure of lungs (Idiopathic persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborn) was admitted to Fortis Escorts Jaipur where a team of doctors led by Dr. JP Dadhich, Senior Consultant, Neonatology along with Dr. Sanjay Khatri, Pediatric Cardiologist successfully treated him. The baby was referred to Fortis Jaipur from Bikaner and was in a critical condition at the time of admission.  He was having respiratory failure, shock and low oxygen saturation.

Immediately after admission, relevant investigations were conducted and it was identified that the newborn was suffering from Primary Pulmonary Hypertension of Newborn (PPHN). Primary Pulmonary Hypertension of Newborn (PPHN) is a medical emergency which requires a quick and correct diagnosis alongwith prompt management. PPHN is a dangerous condition that may cause a baby to not get enough oxygen after birth. Any delay in timely diagnosis and treatment might lead to loss of life. In most of the babies suffering with high blood pressure of lungs, there is an underlying cause which triggers it. But in rare situation, babies get this disease without any triggering factor, as was the case of the newborn who was successfully treated at the Fortis Escorts Jaipur. 

 Dr Sanjay Khatri said, “The blood pressure in lungs of the newborn was very high which led to mixing of oxygen rich and low oxygen blood in the heart and its blood vessels. The baby required respiratory support with ventilator and infusion of multiple drugs to maintain his blood pressure. To reduce the lung pressure, the baby was given a rarely used drug, Sildenafil. This drug is mainly used in adults for different conditions, but it has very limited indications in newborn babies.”

Dr. JP Dadhich, Senior Consultant, Neonatology, Fortis Escorts Hospital Jaipur said, “The baby started showing improvements in due course of time and his pulmonary pressure gradually reduced. Gradually the baby was removed from the ventilator over a period of one week. The baby was discharged after a stay of 12 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU). At the time of discharge, the baby was exclusively on breastfeed and there was no requirement of oxygen. It was a very satisfying experience for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit team of the hospital. Post discharge, the baby is doing fine, on minimal medications and is growing well.”

Mr. Neerav Bansal, Zonal Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital Jaipur said, “Providing the best possible healthcare facilities to the patients, has been a continuous endeavor. At Fortis Escorts Jaipur, we have 3 levels of Neonatal Intensive Care Units, integrated with the latest technology and leading health experts. This was a rare case and any delay in treatment could have led to loss of life for the newborn. I congratulate the pediatric team for having saved the newborn.”

About Fortis Healthcare Limited

Fortis Healthcare Limited – an IHH Healthcare Berhad Company – is a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. It is one of the largest healthcare organizations in the country with 27 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), 4100 operational beds and over 419 diagnostics centres (including JVs). Fortis is present in India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) & Sri Lanka. The Company is listed on the BSE Ltd and National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. It draws strength from its partnership with global major and parent company, IHH, to build upon its culture of world-class patient care and superlative clinical excellence. Fortis employs 23,000 people (including SRL) who share its vision of becoming the world’s most trusted healthcare network. Fortis offers a full spectrum of integrated healthcare services ranging from clinics to quaternary care facilities and a wide range of ancillary services.