4-Year-Old Hit by Car: How Doctors Saved Him Just in Time - Jaslok Hospital

Mumbai – A coordinated emergency response and timely specialised care helped save the life of 4-year-old boy, who was brought to the Emergency Department at Jaslok Hospital after a severe pedestrian accident. The child, found unconscious and alone by police personnel after being hit by a four-wheeler while crossing the road, was rushed to the hospital in a critical state.

On arrival, he showed a profoundly low level of consciousness (Glasgow Coma Scale E1V1M1), indicating no response even to deep pain. He had visible signs of head trauma and multiple external injuries.

The Accident & Emergency team, led by Dr. Sachna Shetty and Dr. Sunil Jain, immediately activated the paediatric trauma protocol. The first steps included spinal stabilisation, securing the airway through endotracheal intubation, and fluid resuscitation to stabilise vital functions.

Emergency imaging was quickly performed. CT scans of the brain, spine, thorax, and abdomen revealed multiple critical injuries: intracranial haemorrhage, diffuse cerebral edema, lung contusions, fractures of the clavicle, mandible, and first rib, and a right-sided pneumothorax. The team suspected Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI), which MRI findings later confirmed as Grade 3.

Multispecialty involvement was initiated to address the child’s condition comprehensively. Specialists from Paediatric Trauma, Paediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery, Paediatric Orthopaedics, and Paediatric Intensive Care collaborated on his treatment plan.

He received IV fluids, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, medications to reduce intracranial pressure, and sedative analgesia. Early neuroprotective care, along with close monitoring, helped stabilise his neurological functions.

Orthopaedic intervention was needed for the severely displaced clavicle fracture. The procedure, performed by Dr. Kiran Ladkat and Dr. Abhijeet Savadekar under the guidance of Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Rujuta Mehta, was carried out with careful coordination between surgical and paediatric teams due to the high-risk nature of the injury.

Dr. Anuraj Jain supported the procedure as the anaesthesiologist. Over the next few days, Vaibhav began showing encouraging signs of recovery, including spontaneous eye opening and limb movements. He was gradually taken off the ventilator and oxygen support.

Paediatric care continued with physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, initiated early by experts like Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh and later overseen by Paediatric Neurologist Dr. Anaita Udwadia Hegde. These therapies remain an important part of his rehabilitation.

His mother, Ruby Mishra, expressed deep gratitude to the medical team, recalling the fear and uncertainty she felt when her son was first brought in.

After stabilisation and significant improvement, he was discharged with detailed guidance for home care, medication, feeding, and warning signs to watch for. Ongoing rehabilitation has been advised to support his long-term recovery.