Howrah, 28 January 2026: In a powerful example of advanced neonatal care in Kolkata, doctors at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati, successfully saved the life of a premature baby girl born at just 27 weeks of pregnancy, weighing only 760 grams. Delivered at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati, the newborn was in a highly critical condition immediately after birth, as she developed severe breathing difficulty, requiring mechanical ventilation. Managing such an extremely low-birth-weight baby posed major challenges for the neonatal team led by Dr. Akhileshwar Narayan Chowdhury, consultant in paediatric medicine, with the condition of the baby needing to be closely monitored round-the-clock in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). During the course of treatment, the baby developed abdominal swelling and green vomiting, the warning signs of a serious internal problem. Further evaluation revealed a blockage in the intestine, a life-threatening condition in premature babies, especially those weighing less than one kilogram.
The parents were counselled in detail about the baby’s condition and the urgent need for surgery. A multidisciplinary surgical team was quickly formed at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati, led by Dr. Goutam Chakraborty, Consultant – Paediatric & Neonatal Surgery, and supported byDr.r Rashmi Shahi (Senior Consultant – Anaesthesiology) and Dr. Ruchi (Consultant – Anaesthesia). The surgery required exceptional precision, as operating on such a tiny and fragile 760 gm newborn demanded specialised instruments and extreme care. Despite the successful surgery, the baby continued to battle issues like sepsis, breathing difficulties, low protein levels, and eye-related complications. The neonatal team remained vigilant throughout this entire critical phase. Ophthalmology consultant Dr Premanjan Bhattacharjee acted quickly to manage any risks to vision by administering a specialised eye injection.
“Babies born this early and with such low birth weight require extremely close monitoring and timely interventions,” stated Dr. Akhileshwar Narayan Chowdhury. Even minor enhancements have an impact. The strength of the coordinated neonatal care provided here in Howrah is demonstrated by this baby’s recovery, as well as her tenacity. Following nearly two months of critical care and round-the-clock hospital observation, the infant grew stronger over time and was released in stable condition. Similar opinions were expressed by Dr. Goutam Chakraborty, who stated that operating on a newborn weighing 760 grammes is one of the most difficult tasks in neonatal surgery. This case’s success was made possible by meticulous preparation, specialised tools, and smooth departmental collaboration at our hospital.
“This case genuinely reflects the kind of care our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati, is equipped to provide,” stated Mr. Tapani Ghosh, Facility Director, Narayana Hospital, Howrah & Chunavati. We can manage extremely critical newborn cases and assist families during some of their most trying times thanks to our state-of-the-art facilities and committed multidisciplinary team of paediatric and neonatal specialists.
