The child underwent 18 days in ECMO at the hospital
After a month’s suffering from acute pneumonia caused by adenovirus, the ECMO and Cardio-Pulmonary Critical Care team at Medica Superspecialty Hospital revived a five-year-old child, suffering from severe viral pneumonia affecting both lungs.
Under the care of Medica ECMO team, headed by Dr Dipanjan Chatterjee ECMO Physician, and Critical Care Specialist at Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata, gradually his lung compliance improved, he was taken off from ECMO after 18 days and finally discharged from the hospital.
The child was suffering from a cough and fever for around five days and developed respiratory distress. The ECMO team took prompt action and examined him with a viral panel test, which revealed adenovirus and rhinovirus infection. In addition, the child had streptococcus pneumonia, which aggravated his condition. He was immediately put under VV-ECMO (Veno-Venous ECMO) support and was being closely monitored. After the initial revival, his tracheostomy was done. He was taken off ECMO support after an 18-day battle between life and death. Following another seven days, his oxygen support was also taken off as his saturation level improved.
Dr Chatterjee said, “Medica is the only hospital where we have the most advanced Paediatric ECMO facility, which can save many kids, suffering from adenovirus across the city and beyond. The child was in a critical situation because the virus had affected both of his lungs, causing disability in breathing, despite oxygen support. However, paediatric ECMO support helped him in the gradual improvement of his lung and respiratory function. A case like this was only curable because of the prompt referral, timely intervention with ECMO, and meticulous critical care. We are grateful to his family for their support and equal participation in this long battle.”
R Udayan Lahiry, Director, Medica Synergie, said, “Medica has the largest ECMO programme in this part of the world. We feel blessed to be able to help and assist people during medical emergencies. We wish the child a very happy and healthy life.”
Medica always believed in bringing world-class critical care and organ support treatment like ECMO and the Heart/Lung Transplant programme, while revolutionising the entire healthcare ecosystem in Eastern India.
