Howrah, January 28, 2026:
In a remarkable example of advanced neonatal care in Kolkata, doctors at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati successfully saved the life of a premature baby girl born at just 27 weeks of gestation, weighing only 760 grams.
Soon after birth, the newborn developed severe respiratory distress and was immediately placed on mechanical ventilation. Managing such an extremely low birth-weight infant posed significant medical challenges, requiring round-the-clock monitoring in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) under the supervision of Dr. Akhileshwar Narayan Chowdhury, Consultant – Pediatric Medicine.
During the course of treatment, the baby developed abdominal swelling and green vomiting—warning signs of a serious internal condition. Further medical evaluation revealed an intestinal blockage, a life-threatening complication commonly seen in premature infants, particularly those weighing under one kilogram.
Following detailed counselling with the parents, an urgent decision was taken to perform surgery. A multidisciplinary surgical team was swiftly assembled at Narayana Hospital, Chunavati, led by Dr. Goutam Chakraborty, Consultant – Pediatric & Neonatal Surgery, with support from Dr. Rashmi Shahi (Senior Consultant – Anaesthesiology) and Dr. Ruchi (Consultant – Anaesthesiology). The procedure demanded exceptional precision, as operating on a fragile 760-gram newborn required specialised instruments and extreme care.
Despite the successful surgery, the baby continued to face multiple complications, including sepsis, breathing difficulties, low protein levels, and eye-related concerns. The neonatal team remained vigilant throughout this critical phase. Dr. Premanjan Bhattacharjee, Consultant – Ophthalmology, intervened in time with a specialised eye injection to prevent potential vision-related complications.
Commenting on the case, Dr. Akhileshwar Narayan Chowdhury said, “Babies born this early and with such low birth weight require extremely close monitoring and timely interventions. Every small improvement matters. This baby’s recovery reflects not only her fighting spirit but also the strength of coordinated neonatal care available here in Howrah.”
After nearly two months of intensive care and continuous monitoring, the baby gradually showed improvement, gained strength, and was discharged in stable condition.
Echoing similar views, Dr. Goutam Chakraborty stated, “Performing surgery on a 760-gram newborn is among the most demanding challenges in neonatal surgery. The success of this case was possible due to careful planning, specialised equipment, and seamless teamwork across departments.”
Mr. Tapani Ghosh, Facility Director, Narayana Hospital, Howrah & Chunavati, said, “This case truly reflects the level of care our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is equipped to provide. With advanced facilities and a dedicated multidisciplinary team of neonatal and pediatric specialists, we are able to handle extremely critical newborn cases and support families during their most difficult moments.”
