23-Week Micro-Preemie Survives After 78 Days in NICU at Motherhood Hospital

Navi Mumbai: In a rare and inspiring medical achievement, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, successfully saved a micro-preemie born at just 23 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, weighing only 690 grams. Under the leadership of Dr. Anish Pillai, Lead Consultant- Neonatology and Paediatrics, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, and the dedicated NICU team, Baby overcame multiple life-threatening complications, including respiratory distress syndrome, apnea of prematurity, a large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in the heart, anemia, neonatal jaundice, and weak immunity.

After 78 days in the NICU, he reached a healthy weight of 1.92 kg, learned to feed orally, maintained stable breathing, and was discharged home safely. Currently, the baby is achieving developmental milestones on follow-up. He weighs 2.56 kg and continues to thrive well.

The Couple residents of Mumbra, were overjoyed to welcome their first baby, but their happiness quickly turned into fear as their tiny newborn struggled for life just moments after birth. Baby was born prematurely after complications in pregnancy that included oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid during pregnancy) and maternal fever. He cried weakly at birth in a local hospital and was placed on oxygen support. The “NICU on wheels” was immediately informed, and he was shifted safely to Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar NICU in an ambulance for specialized care.

The baby faced multiple challenges, like underdeveloped lungs, fragile organs, risk of infections, heart complications, feeding intolerance, and bone and blood issues related to extreme prematurity. He required mechanical ventilation, surfactant therapy, parenteral nutrition, feeding via tube, PDA management, antibiotics, supplements, and strict monitoring.

Dr. Anish Pillai, Lead Consultant- Neonatology and Paediatrics, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, “When the baby arrived on 1st August 2025, he was extremely fragile and weighed just 690 grams. Babies born this early face many challenges because their organs are not ready to function on their own. Our priority was to stabilize his breathing and protect him from infections. His lungs were very immature, so he needed mechanical ventilation, surfactant therapy, and then gradual weaning to non-invasive support. Managing his heart condition, feeding intolerance, and weak immunity required continuous monitoring and teamwork.”

Dr Anish further added, “India records the highest number of preterm births in the world, with nearly 3.5 million premature babies born every year—about one in every ten births. Babies are born at a stage where every organ, from the lungs and heart to the brain and gut, is still developing. Even minor infections can become life-threatening, so our team focused on maintaining strict infection control, safe ventilation, and careful nutrition.

His brain scans, eye tests, and hearing checks were monitored regularly, and it was encouraging to see that the early changes improved over time. Every small milestone, like tolerating feeds, gaining weight, or maintaining oxygen, was a moment of hope. Despite the odds, his condition gradually improved. His lungs strengthened, his PDA closed with timely treatment, his brain bleed resolved, his bones improved with supplements, and his feeds advanced from tube feeding to full breastfeeding.

“Feeding and growth are especially challenging in extremely low birth weight babies. Their intestines are delicate, and feeding must progress very slowly. Baby started on parenteral nutrition and later moved to tiny tube feeds of mother’s milk. As his gut adapted, we fortified his feeds to ensure he received enough calories, minerals, and proteins. He also developed osteopenia and anaemia, which are common in micro-preemies, and both were managed with supplements and blood transfusions.

Over time, his feeding skills matured, and he shifted to full breastfeeding and bottle feeds. After 78 days of continuous NICU care, the baby was discharged when on full feed, maintaining oxygen, with a weight of 1.92 kgs and showing positive developmental progress. Reaching a weight of over 2.56 kg on his latest follow-up in November 2025 shows how well he is growing. He will require regular check-ups to monitor development, but his progress so far is excellent.”

“Our baby was born too soon, but he fought every single day with a strength we never imagined. When we saw him the first time, so tiny and fragile, our hearts were filled with fear. But the team at Motherhood Hospital gave us confidence and hope from day one. They cared for him like their own child. Every doctor, nurse, and therapist worked tirelessly to help him breathe, feed, and grow. Today, our son is healthy, active, and gaining weight well. We feel blessed and grateful for the miracle they helped create,” concluded baby’s father.