PUNE: A five-year-old boy who suffered severe complications from a chikungunya infection, including brain encephalitis and multi-organ failure, was discharged from Sahyadri Hospitals MomStory this week, marking a significant triumph in pediatric medical care.

The child was initially seen by Dr Vinod Shelar, a Pediatrician at Chandan Nagar on August 18, due to a high fever but he started getting fits hence was urgently transferred to Sahyadri Hospitals MomStory Nagar Road – PICU, for specialized care. 

“On arrival at MomStory, he had persistent convulsions and signs of severe brain infection including unequal pupils indicative of increased intracranial pressure. We noted the child’s condition required immediate intervention with ventilator support due to his unstable breathing and ongoing seizures, Continuous EEG monitoring also showed ongoing continuous convulsions that needed aggressive management to control it. This entity is called Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus where convulsions are not seen but in the brain, there are ongoing convulsions.  Hence he was started on continuous infusion of medicine to control ongoing seizures and raised brain pressure. Slowly EEG started to normalize. This if not treated urgently can cause severe brain dysfunction,” said Dr. Sagar Lad, Senior Pediatric Intensivist at Sahyadri Hospitals MomStory.

“The initial outlook was concerning as further tests showed acute liver failure which is seen in less than 3% of patients with chikungunya infection and needs urgent medication for liver regeneration and very low platelet and white blood cell counts, making treatment more complex. He received blood and platelet transfusions. He also had low blood pressure and refractory shock required medicines to normalize Blood pressure. A real-time PCR test soon confirmed a severe chikungunya infection. The situation worsened when he developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare and dangerous condition where the body’s immune system starts to damage its organs. These complications require strong treatment plans, including Intravenous Immunoglobulin and steroids, to effectively control the immune system’s excessive response,” explained Dr. Sagar Lad.

Dr. Pradeep Suryawanshi, Director of Neonatology & Paediatrics at Sahyadri Hospitals MomStory, stated, “During his stay, the child underwent continuous monitoring and multiple treatment adjustments to address the complex interplay of the infection and its broad impacts on his brain and other organs. The brain scans revealed widespread signs of encephalitis, a severe and uncommon condition in chikungunya cases.”

“After a tough but successful 14-day stay in the hospital with 2 weeks of ventilation the child made incredible progress and no longer needed the ventilator. His thinking and movement skills are almost back to normal, despite the severity of his case. He is now interacting well with the world around him,” said Dr. Suryawanshi.

On September 1, the child was discharged from the hospital. His condition had stabilized significantly, and he was able to return home with no ongoing neurological deficits.

“The family thanked the doctors and hospital staff deeply for their dedication and care, which transformed a critical situation into a story of survival and hope,” said Dr Prateek Kataria, senior consultant at the hospital.

The concerted efforts of a multidisciplinary team include Dr. Prateek Kataria, Dr. Preeti Lad, Dr. Sushmita Nimagadda, Dr Nikita Mankar, Dr Aaishwarya Dalal, Dr. Pranjali Fulari, Dr. Neha Kunturkar, and Dr. Dinesh Thakre, with critical support from pediatric liver specialist Dr. Snehvardhan Pandey and pediatric hematologist Dr. Kannan.

“Chikungunya is considered to be not a very serious infection in children but in this current situation in Pune, we are seeing very complicated chikungunya infection, especially in children affecting the brain causing convulsion, decreasing level of consciousness, and even coma. If not detected early can be life-threatening. Probably this is due to a change in the Virulence factor of the virus,” said Dr Sagar Lad.

The post The Remarkable Recovery of a 5-Year-Old Boy from Chikungunya at Sahyadri Hospitals appeared first on NRI News.

PUNE: In a heart-warming celebration of MomStory’s 2nd Anniversary, Sahyadri Hospitals successfully hosted the MomStory Pregnancy Carnival, where the hospital not only honored expectant mothers but also highlighted the completion of its impactful community support projects in Pune. The event, graced by celebrity guest Bipasha Basu, drew a large crowd of expecting parents, reflecting the community’s strong engagement with the hospital’s initiatives.

On the occasion of MomStory’s 2nd Anniversary, the focus was placed on emphasizing the dietary needs of pregnant women. These initiative addresses the crucial aspects of nutrition during and after pregnancy, significantly affecting both maternal well-being and the health of their newborn children. The health and nutrition of pregnant women affect the baby’s development in the womb and their growth after birth. Very often, the right nutrition and the required quality are not available to these women in rural/distant areas, causing many deficiencies in health and complications during and post-birth to both the mother and child.

At the carnival, attendees experienced a mix of education, excitement, and community engagement. Bipasha Basu shared her parenting experiences and took part in heart-to-heart conversations with the participants, adding a personal touch to the festivities. Dr. Mahima Bakshi, a Maternal Child Wellness Consultant and Brand Consultant to MomStory by Sahyadri Hospitals, reinforced the hospital’s dedication to motherhood wellness, stating, “Our commitment at MomStory by Sahyadri Hospitals is to nurture health and happiness right from the beginning of motherhood. Today’s celebration also serves as a platform to further our community support through new CSR initiatives, focusing on the dietary needs of pregnant women along with the post-birth wellness needs of new mothers and children which are crucial for good health in the society and future of the community.”

Navkaran Singh Kang, Assistant Vice President at Sahyadri Hospitals & MomStory by Sahyadri Hospitals, detailed these initiatives, “We are thrilled to join hands with local Anganwadi and ASHA workers to provide nutritional advice to expecting mothers and the ASHA workers who would guide them forward along with special ladoos that assist with post-delivery recovery and improve breast milk nutrition at the very least. Our visit to Maher orphanage was particularly fulfilling, where our doctors engaged with the children through games and activities, and distributed snack boxes, sweets, and gifts as a mother would. It was a day of joy and meaningful community interaction. Our initiative aims to benefit 2000 ASHA workers and approximately 3000-4500 expecting and new mothers over the next 6 months of the Indapur & Solapur track of Hadapsar belt in Pune.”

The carnival featured a lively Zumba session, a maternity photo booth with fun props, and zones dedicated to fashion and style, making the day both entertaining and informative for all attendees. The atmosphere was further enlivened with lucky draws and special giveaways.

Bipasha Basu expressed her delight at participating, saying, “It’s a privilege to celebrate such a special day with so many inspiring mothers. The strength and joy of motherhood are evident in each story shared here. I am excited to see how our continued efforts will support and empower mothers across the community.”

Through the Momstory Pregnancy Carnival, Sahyadri Hospitals not only celebrated motherhood but also affirmed its commitment to nurturing the community, ensuring that the journey of motherhood is supported with utmost care and compassion. The hospital looks forward to sustaining these efforts and fostering stronger community connections in the future, with a specific emphasis on the health and nutrition of women in underserved areas.

The post Extending Beyond Maternity Care: MomStory By Sahyadri Hospitals Community-Focused Initiatives appeared first on NRI News.