9 Year Old Saved From Septic Shock After Severe Bone Infection

Greater Noida: A 9-year-old boy suffering from a severe bone infection that progressed to septic shock was successfully treated at Fortis Hospital, Greater Noida after more than ten days of intensive care and ventilator support.

The child was brought to the hospital with persistent fever, difficulty walking for nearly a week, and rapidly increasing swelling and pain in the right lower leg and hip. He had already received treatment at multiple healthcare centres for four to five days, but his condition kept deteriorating.

Soon after admission, he developed rapid breathing, a fast heart rate, weak pulse, reduced urine output and falling blood pressure — all signs of severe systemic infection. Investigations revealed extremely high infection markers, and further evaluation confirmed osteomyelitis of the right hip along with a large pus collection inside the joint.

He was immediately shifted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) under the supervision of Dr. Kushagra Gupta. Considering the emergency, the orthopaedics team led by Dr. Bharat Goswami, along with anaesthesia specialists Dr. Bhoop Singh and Dr. Swayambhu Shubham, performed urgent surgery. Approximately 200 ml of thick pus was drained from the infected hip joint.

Despite surgery, the child remained critically ill and required ventilator support for five days. He was also given multiple medications to maintain blood pressure, support lung function and control widespread infection. The paediatric and critical care teams continuously monitored him to manage complications related to severe sepsis.

After about ten days of intensive treatment, his condition gradually stabilised. He was successfully weaned off ventilatory support and started showing steady recovery. Once stable, he was discharged with a structured course of anti-tubercular therapy, antibiotics and supportive care.

According to doctors, early recognition, prompt surgical drainage and coordinated intensive care prevented permanent joint damage and potentially fatal complications such as septic arthritis and systemic infection.

Facility Director Siddharth Nigam stated that timely intervention and coordinated teamwork across departments played an important role in helping the child recover and return home safely.