- Successful and safe delivery at 25 weeks of pregnancy achieved by Medanta Hospital doctors Lucknow, 3 July, 2024: Once again, doctors at Medanta Hospital in Lucknow have demonstrated their exceptional medical skills by not only delivering Nori (name changed), who was 25 weeks pregnant, but also saving the lives of both mother and child. Shalin (name changed), who weighed only 685 grams at birth, is the youngest and smallest preterm baby in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Aakash Pandita, Director of the Neonatology and Child Development Center at Medanta Hospital, Lucknow, shared, "The last winter was extremely challenging for Nori (name changed) from Eastern Uttar Pradesh. At 25 weeks pregnant, she faced immense difficulty finding a hospital for early delivery due to leaking amniotic fluid, which posed a risk to the fetus and increased the chances of infection. In hopes of better treatment, she decided to travel from her home in Sultanpur to Lucknow." Upon reaching Lucknow, several hospitals refused to handle the delivery, as the doctors believed the chances of survival for such a premature baby were extremely low. Nori arrived at Medanta Hospital at 25 weeks of pregnancy. The doctors there counseled her and assured her of a positive outcome, promising the safety of both mother and child. To ensure the success of this complex delivery, the team of doctors at Medanta Hospital worked tirelessly. They successfully delivered Shalin, but her weight at birth, 685 grams, was a cause for concern. Shalin is the youngest and smallest preterm baby in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, born 13-15 weeks before the ideal gestation period of 37 to 40 weeks. At birth, her weight was only 23% of the ideal 2,900 grams. Due to her birth at just 25 weeks, Shalin's organs were not fully developed. She required over two months of care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Now, six months after her birth, she is a happy and healthy baby, developing normally with regular check-ups and care. Dr. Aakash Pandita said, “At birth, Shalin had difficulty breathing and showed signs of shock, necessitating immediate NICU admission. Her weight was less than that of a water bottle, and her organs were underdeveloped. She received surfactant through a technique called ‘Less Invasive Surfactant Administration’ (LISA), which provides oxygen without damaging the lungs. Additionally, she was given non-invasive ventilation. Shalin also suffered from severe sepsis (blood infection), which was treated. Gradually, she was given ‘Kangaroo Mother Care’ and tube feeding (feeding through the nose or mouth). She received ‘Total Parenteral Nutrition’ until she could feed normally, with nutrients administered directly into her veins.” Dr. Pandita further explained, "Only 20%-40% of babies born with such low weight survive. Shalin's current health is the result of our advanced neonatal care unit and the dedication of our specialists. In terms of gestational age and birth weight, Shalin is the smallest baby in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Her treatment was challenging due to her extremely low weight. Such babies are very fragile and require special care. The biggest challenge in caring for these tiny babies is ensuring their survival and proper development of their brain, eyes, and ears. They are at a higher risk of brain hemorrhage, developmental delays, brain cysts, and vision and hearing defects, with a likelihood of 50%-60%." Shalin's parents said, "Our daughter is a warrior. She was born at 25 weeks, but she survived and overcame all challenges. She is the youngest preterm baby in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and is now completely healthy."