A rare, life threatening combination of cardiac and intestinal emergencies in a newborn was successfully managed through seamless multidisciplinary care at Ankura Hospital, giving the baby a new lease on life and a chance to grow healthy

 

For the first time in India, a highly coordinated multidisciplinary team at Ankura Hospital, Aundh successfully treated a newborn battling two of the most critical neonatal emergencies, such as Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) and Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC). Led by the Neonatal team of Dr. Umesh Vaidya (HOD), Dr. Siddharth Madabhushi, and Dr. Anusha Rao, along with expert support from Dr. Bhakti Dhamangaonkar, Obstetrician, Dr. Ashish Banpurkar, Pediatric Cardiologist, and Dr. Abhijeet Benare, Pediatric Surgeon, the team worked seamlessly to save the baby’s life. From managing a life threatening heart rhythm disorder to performing complex intestinal surgery, every step required precision and collaboration. The swift and well coordinated care not only saved the newborn but also gave him a second chance at a healthy, brighter future.

 

 

When Lata Khanna (name changed) , a 31-year-old first-time mother from Pune, was rushed for an emergency caesarean at 35 weeks, she stepped into a moment filled with fear, uncertainty, and hope. What followed in the days ahead became an intense and emotional journey, as her newborn faced unexpected medical challenges right from birth. The next few weeks unfolded into one of the most complex and rare cases managed at Ankura Hospital, Aundh, where every moment was critical. Through it all, it was not just medical expertise, but the courage of a mother and the determination of a dedicated team that kept hope alive for her tiny baby. Her baby boy Rohit (name changed), born on 3rd February 2026 weighing 2.740 kg, was admitted to the NICU within hours of birth and remained under intensive care until 28th February 2026, courageously fighting not one, but two life-threatening conditions.

 

 

Dr. Bhakti Dhamangaonkar, Obstetrician, said, “Even before he entered the world, signs of danger had already begun to appear. During a routine check-up when the baby was late preterm at 35 weeks of gestation, doctors noticed his tiny heart racing at over 300 beats per minute, far beyond the normal range, raising immediate concern. Recognising the seriousness of fetal tachyarrhythmia, the obstetrician acted without delay, performing an emergency caesarean section to give the baby a fighting chance. Though he let out a reassuring cry at birth, his struggle had only just begun, as signs of respiratory distress quickly led to his transfer to the NICU for urgent, life saving care.”

 

 

Within just hours of birth, a new challenge emerged as the baby’s heart began racing uncontrollably in repeated episodes, later diagnosed as Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT). In this condition, the heart beats so fast that it struggles to pump blood effectively, putting immense strain on such a tiny, fragile body. Each episode was a moment of anxiety, as the medical team worked swiftly to bring the rhythm back to normal. Despite emergency medications, the episodes kept returning, demanding constant vigilance, careful dose adjustments, and expert guidance from pediatric cardiologist Dr. Ashish Banpurkar. A defibrillator was kept ready at all times, a silent reminder of how critical and unpredictable the situation remained.

 

 

However, the challenge did not stop there. What made this case particularly complex was what the repeated episodes of SVT were doing to the baby’s gut. Each time the heart raced, blood flow to the intestines was reduced. The repeated strain on his heart began affecting blood flow to his intestines. By the fourth day of life, the baby developed abdominal swelling and bleeding. Investigations confirmed Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC), a severe and life threatening intestinal condition. NEC is most commonly seen in very premature babies. Its occurrence in a near term newborn, triggered by a heart condition rather than prematurity alone, falls under a category specialists now call Acquired Neonatal Intestinal Disease (ANID). By day eight, the situation escalated to intestinal perforation, leaving surgery as the only life-saving option. On 12th February 2026, pediatric surgeon Dr. Abhijeet Benare performed a highly complex exploratory surgery. Multiple ruptures were identified across the intestine, and two separate damaged sections had to be removed and carefully reconnected during the same operation, which lasted nearly 2 hours.

 

 

The days that followed were a true test of coordinated, multidisciplinary care. The baby could not be fed orally as his gut needed complete rest, and he relied entirely on intravenous nutrition, also called total parenteral nutrition or TPN, where a carefully prepared mixture of proteins, sugars, fats, and minerals was delivered directly into the bloodstream through a fine tube, bypassing the gut entirely and keeping him nourished and growing while his intestines healed. Heart medications had to be innovatively administered through alternative routes to ensure continuous cardiac stability since oral administration was not possible. He required ventilator support, antibiotics, and intensive monitoring, every decision carefully balancing the needs of his heart, intestines, and overall recovery.

 

 

Dr. Siddharth Madabhushi, Neonatologist and Medical Director at Ankura Hospital for Women and Child, Pune, Aundh, said, “When the heart and the gut fail together in a newborn, every decision you make for one system affects the other. The baby is one, and the team has to think as one. When both the heart and intestines are critically affected in a newborn, even the smallest decision can make a life-changing difference. In this case, there was no room for error; every moment demanded precision, care, and constant vigilance. It took seamless coordination between neonatology, cardiology, surgery, and nursing teams, all working together with a single goal: to save this tiny life. It was this shared commitment and collective effort that ultimately made his recovery possible.”

 

 

“By day 18, the baby’s gut was ready to accept feeds. They were introduced gradually, and he tolerated them well. A lactation consultant supported Diksha through the process, and she grew confident feeding her son. After twenty-six days of fighting, the baby was discharged home with weight of 2.365 kg, growing, and feeding well. The family was sent home with emergency medication and follow-up appointments to monitor his heart and development over the coming months. Cases like this one require every member of the team to be present and thinking at all times. We were, and this baby did the rest,” said Dr. Anusha Rao, Neonatologist at Ankura Hospital  for Women and Child, Pune, Aundh.

 

 

A review of medical literature suggests this may be the first reported case in India of a newborn surviving both refractory SVT and surgical NEC together, with only a few such cases documented globally. This outcome reflects the strength of true multidisciplinary care. From obstetricians and neonatologists to cardiologists, surgeons, nurses, and lactation experts, every team member worked together to protect one fragile life.

 

 

“It was an emotional rollercoaster for us as parents. There were moments of fear, but also moments of hope because of the incredible team of doctors who cared for our baby. Their dedication and timely treatment made all the difference. We are thankful to see our baby safe and recovering,” said the elated parents.

 

 

“When this baby went home, it was not a moment any of us took lightly. Twenty-six days is a long time in a NICU. For his mother, it was a lifetime. We are just glad we could give them both the ending they deserved,” concluded Dr. Siddharth Madabhushi.