Miracle in Delhi: Abandoned Newborn Revived Against All Odds at Fortis La Femme

New Delhi: In a display of medical expertise and humanitarian commitment, Doctors at Fortis La Femme Hospital successfully revived a 9-year-old newborn baby boy who was found abandoned in a park in South Delhi’s Greater Kailash area, in a near death situation.

The infant was discovered by the members of Resident Welfare Association (RWA) and immediately handed over to the local police, who rushed him to Fortis La Femme. Upon admission, the newborn was found to be in an extremely critical condition.

He was suffering from severe hypothermia - a life-threatening condition in which the body temperature drops so low that the heart, lungs, and brain start slowing down, no breathing, pale skin and an unclamped umbilical cord. His pupils were fixed and wide open and his vitals were not normal - signs that the baby was fighting for survival. The child weighed 2.14 Kgs at the time of admission, which is an extremely low birth weight.

The emergency and neonatal teams, at Fortis La Femme led by Dr. Raghuram Mallaiah, Senior Director, Neonatology and Dr. Vishal Gupta, Senior Consultant, Neonatology, Fortis La Femme immediately initiated life-saving interventions. He was intubated for breathing and oxygen support and was given two rounds of CPR for revival.

Additionally, the team of doctors also gave him IV fluid and blood was transfused, as there was a lot of blood loss too. Within hours of intensive care, the newborn’s condition stabilized. Over the following days, he made significant progress, eventually achieving full recovery. He is now healthy, stable and ready for a second lease of life.

Dr. Raghuram Mallaiah, Senior Director, Neonatology, Fortis La Femme said, “When the baby arrived, he had no heartbeat. It was a race against time. Our team instantly initiated resuscitation, and after continuous coordinated efforts, we were able to revive him. Today, seeing him breathe and cry normally is nothing short of a miracle.”

Dr. Vishal Gupta, Senior Consultant, Neonatology, Fortis La Femme said, “This case underscores the importance of immediate medical attention and the unwavering dedication of our clinical staff. The collective effort of the emergency team, nurses, and neonatologists brought the child back to life.”

Garima Prasad, Facility Director, Fortis La Femme said, “This extraordinary case is a powerful reminder of the resilience of life and the compassion of caregivers. From being abandoned in a park to being

nurtured back to life, the baby’s survival stands as a testament to medical excellence and humanity at its best. This case is a testament of Fortis La Femme’s commitment to patient care and excellence.”

In accordance with government protocols and guidelines, the baby was handed over to the police for further legal and protective procedures.

Despite efforts by Government and other stakeholders, as per latest data available, India has 29.6 million orphaned and abandoned children as per UNICEF. Delhi topped the list among states with the highest number of infants abandoned in any city in India between 2015-2020 according to National Crime Records Bureau 2020 report.

Among other states, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Gujarat registered a high number of abandoned babies, foeticide and infanticides combined within the same period. The key factors may be primarily poverty, archaic societal norms, lack of support services and child care homes for single mothers and postpartum depression.