• Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Marathahalli, marked a new feat in its operations by successfully undertaking and completing its very first air-ambulance transport
• The long haul air transport was from Raipur to Bengaluru of an immediate and timely medical-attention-seeking infant for complex medical care
• Infant was only six months old, making this a critical and delicate situation. Rainbow Children’s Hospital showcased its adeptness in handling the case with precision

The Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Marathahalli, Bengaluru, recently accomplished a remarkable milestone in its operations. In a critical medical case involving a six-month-old infant, the hospital’s swift and informed medical decision facilitated the urgent airlift of the baby from Raipur to Bengaluru to receive specialized medical services. Under the guidance of Dr. Rakshay Shetty, Head of Pediatric Intensive Care Services, Marathahalli, the team that involved Dr. Deepak Ramesh, Consultant-Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Marathahalli, and Dr. Anupam Jaiswal, Consultant Pediatric Intensivist & Pediatrician, Bannerghatta Road gave the infant the necessary timely care and attention to stabilize her condition and ensure a smooth transition to the Rainbow Children’s Hospital in, Bengaluru.

The infant started experiencing diarrhoea while the family was visiting Raipur from Canada. However, the situation became complicated as this diarrhoeal disease escalated to rapidly worsening kidney functions. Understanding the significance of time and the criticality of the entire situation, the expert team of doctors and staff at Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Marathahalli quickly responded to the parents’ plea to air-lift the infant.

The infant was diagnosed with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a severe medical condition characterized by high blood pressure and kidney failure. While initial medical support was provided at a local private hospital in Raipur, the critical progression of the case necessitated specialized medical interventions such as hemodialysis and plasma exchange therapy, especially in the case of infants. Recognizing the importance of time and the critical nature of the situation, the expert team of doctors and staff at Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Marathahalli promptly responded to the parent’s request to airlift the infant.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is a condition in which patients experience progressive kidney failure, along with symptoms such as blood-stained urine, body swelling due to fluid accumulation, high blood pressure, breathing difficulties, seizures, and a sudden drop in hemoglobin and platelet levels. When these symptoms occur together, they can lead to various complications and become life-threatening within a short period unless immediate medical attention is sought.

Dr. Deepak Ramesh, Consultant-Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, spoke about the challenges involved in the case “Transporting an unstable infant with rapidly fluctuating blood pressure and compromised breathing due to excessive fluid in the body is difficult even by road transport. Air travel introduces changes in ambient pressures, which can profoundly affect the human body. In a critically ill child, this can lead to rapid deterioration. Additionally, a fixed-wing aircraft cannot be stopped midway and parked by the side for immediate assistance. It was challenging to safely transport the child in a confined space, far from any help.”

“Fortunately, the child only required monitoring during transport since the transport team of Dr. Anupam Jaiswal and Mr. Veeresh Tuttupad had stabilized the patient at the local hospital in Raipur before embarking on the flight. Prepared for any exigency that might arise, the medical professionals diligently continued the ongoing treatment without necessitating additional support during the flight.” He added.

Although the case presented multiple challenges, the specialized team at Rainbow Children’s Hospital worked tirelessly to address logistical issues, such as co-ordinating with air ambulance team, establishing communication protocols, preparing and modifying equipment for air transport. Every detail was meticulously planned and executed by the hospital’s team of experts to ensure a safe and smooth flight.

“We had to prepare and pack delicate equipment such as ventilators, ultrasound machines, monitors, etc., along with all the medications, ensuring their safe transportation on a commercial airplane,” said Dr. Deepak, a specialist on the team. “Moreover, connectivity to Raipur is limited, and the earliest available flight was at 7:30 am. So we had to prepare everything in advance on a Saturday night, ensure compatibility of all equipment and connections for use inside the aircraft, and be prepared for an early morning take-off the next day. Once our team arrived in Raipur, they assessed the child’s situation, requested and conducted essential investigations necessary for safe air transport. This ensured that the return journey was smooth without any complications”

The infant girl is currently in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Marathahalli, receiving specialized care from the PICU and Pediatric Nephrology teams. The hospital’s accomplishment in making timely decisions and providing effective management sets new standards in Indian healthcare, reaffirming its dedication to saving lives by pushing beyond the boundaries in medical interventions.