Expressnews
Chennai, 22nd July 2026: The team of neonatologists at Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals, Chetpet, has successfully treated and saved an extremely premature baby born at just 24 weeks of gestation and weighing only 530 grams at birth. After 97 days of intensive care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the baby was discharged healthy at a weight of 1.6 kg. Born nearly four months before the expected due date at just 24 weeks of gestation, the infant was in the periviable period, a stage at which survival remains uncertain even with advanced neonatal care.
The mother, an international patient, was admitted to Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals for pregnancy care. During her pregnancy, she developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure), posing a serious risk to both the mother and the baby. To safeguard the health of both the mother and the baby, the medical team performed an emergency Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) nearly four months before the expected due date. The mother delivered an extremely premature baby girl who was in critical condition from birth. The baby was born in January 2026. As the infant’s vital organs including the lungs, heart, brain, and intestines were severely underdeveloped, the chances of survival were extremely challenging. The baby was immediately admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where a multidisciplinary team provided round-the-clock monitoring, advanced life support, and intensive medical care.
In the NICU, the infant was given surfactant therapy, mechanical ventilation and medications to maintain blood pressure and support the immature cardiovascular system. Mechanical ventilation was provided from birth for nearly three weeks. The baby also remained at high risk of complications associated with extreme prematurity, including respiratory difficulties, infections, feeding intolerance and bleeding in the brain. The baby’s care involved a multidisciplinary team comprising specialists from Neonatology, Paediatrics, Nursing, Nutrition, Radiology and Rehabilitation Services. Careful monitoring, specialised nutrition, respiratory support and timely management of complications helped the baby gradually progress through the critical period.
“A full-term pregnancy typically lasts between 37 and 40 weeks. Babies born before 25 weeks are considered extremely premature, and their chances of survival remain uncertain. This baby is among the smallest babies to have survived and been successfully discharged from Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals. The successful outcome underscores the importance of advanced neonatal care and the coordinated efforts of a specialised multidisciplinary team in managing extreme prematurity,” said Dr. Arun Krishnan B., Neonatologist, Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals, Chetpet.
After 97 days of intensive care, the baby successfully transitioned to oral feeding, tolerating nutrients independently. Discharged at a healthy weight of 1.6 kg. During a follow-up review, the medical team confirmed that the infant is healthy, achieving age-appropriate developmental milestones with no significant complications.
