One-Day-Old Baby Undergoes Complex Heart Surgery at Fortis Escorts
New Delhi: Doctors at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, successfully performed a complex and challenging heart surgery to save the life of a one-day-old newborn suffering from Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)—a rare and life-threatening congenital heart defect. The newborn also had a hole in the heart, further complicating the condition.
A team of doctors, led by Dr. Neeraj Awasthy, Director of Paediatric Cardiology at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, conducted a high-risk Arterial Switch Operation, a rare open-heart surgery that corrects the positioning of the aorta and pulmonary arteries. The procedure, which lasted three hours, was successful, and the newborn was discharged in a stable condition after 16 days.
The heart defect was first suspected during a routine ultrasound scan at the 20th week of pregnancy, prompting a fetal echocardiogram that confirmed the presence of a severe congenital heart disease.
Following the diagnosis, Dr. Awasthy advised that the baby be delivered at Fortis La Femme under the medical supervision of Dr. Meenakshi Ahuja, Senior Director of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. A planned caesarean procedure was performed, ensuring the baby and mother were immediately transferred to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute for specialized cardiac care.
On the second day after birth, Dr. Awasthy performed a Balloon Atrial Septostomy, a minimally invasive procedure aimed at stabilizing the newborn by improving oxygen levels. In this procedure, a catheter with a deflated balloon is guided into the heart, where it is inflated to create or enlarge a hole between the two upper chambers. This critical intervention helped in improving the baby's condition before the major surgery.
Once stabilized, the newborn underwent the high-risk Arterial Switch Operation, performed by Dr. Neeraj Awasthy and Dr. K.S. Iyer, Chairman of Paediatric & Congenital Heart Surgery. This surgical procedure, done using a heart bypass machine, successfully restored the arteries to their correct positions, ensuring proper oxygenation of the body.
Dr. Neeraj Awasthy, Director, Paediatric Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, shared details about the case, stating, “This case was particularly challenging due to the baby’s low birth weight and the complexity of the heart defects. When the baby was born, she weighed only 1.8 kg. She was placed on gavage feeding through the nose to enhance weight gain, reaching 2.3 kg before surgery. The timely diagnosis through fetal echocardiograms played a crucial role in ensuring early intervention. This collaborative effort from our team has led to the best possible outcome, and we are glad to see the baby recovering well.”
Dr. K.S. Iyer, Chairman – Paediatric & Congenital Heart Surgery, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, highlighted the complexity of the procedure, stating, “The Arterial Switch Operation is an intricate surgery, especially in newborns with multiple heart defects. This case was particularly high-risk as the baby was premature and had an underdeveloped heart. If left untreated, the baby would not have survived due to the critical nature of Transposition of the Great Arteries, which restricts oxygen supply to the body and can lead to severe complications or even death. Despite these challenges, the surgery was a success, and the baby is making a steady recovery.”
Dr. Vikram Aggarwal, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, praised the medical team's expertise, stating, “This case was extremely challenging given the age and critical condition of the newborn. However, with the right medical assessment, cutting-edge technology, and our expert team of doctors, we were able to achieve a positive outcome. Fortis Escorts Heart Institute remains committed to providing the highest standard of care in paediatric cardiology, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients.”
The successful treatment of this newborn highlights the importance of early diagnosis, advanced medical technology, and the expertise of specialized doctors.
The baby's survival and recovery stand as a testament to the excellence of paediatric cardiology at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, offering hope to families facing similar medical challenges.
The newborn has now been discharged and is on the path to recovery, with doctors monitoring her progress to ensure continued health and well-being.
Rishika Verma is a graduate from Delhi University. She joined Medical Dialogues in 2023. Her interest lies in reporting health news, hospital updates, health updates, medical case studies, and advancements in healthcare, etc.