Look for Drugs and Conditions

Doctors with Patient and his parents

Fortis Escorts Doctors Save One-Day-Old Newborn with Rare, Life-Threatening Heart Defect

 In a groundbreaking medical feat, doctors at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, successfully performed a complex and high-risk heart surgery on a one-day-old newborn suffering from Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)—a rare and life-threatening congenital heart defect where the heart’s main arteries are reversed. The baby, who also had a hole in the heart, underwent a rare Arterial Switch Operation, a life-saving procedure led by Dr. Neeraj Awasthy, Director, Paediatric Cardiology, and Dr. K.S. Iyer, Chairman – Paediatric & Congenital Heart Surgery.


The condition was detected during a routine ultrasound scan in the 20th week of pregnancy, prompting a fetal echocardiogram that confirmed severe congenital heart disease. Given the critical nature of the diagnosis, doctors advised that the baby be delivered at Fortis La Femme under the supervision of Dr. Meenakshi Ahuja, Senior Director, Obstetrics & Gynaecology. The mother underwent a C-section, and immediately after birth, both mother and child were transferred to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute for advanced cardiac care.

On the newborn’s second day of life, Dr. Awasthy performed a Balloon Atrial Septostomy, a minimally invasive procedure designed to improve oxygen levels by enlarging a hole between the upper chambers of the heart. Once the baby’s condition was stabilized, the medical team proceeded with the high-risk Arterial Switch Operation, a complex open-heart surgery that corrects the reversed positioning of the aorta and pulmonary artery. The surgery, which lasted three hours, was a success, and after 16 days of recovery, the newborn was discharged in a stable condition.

Speaking about the challenges of the case, Dr. Neeraj Awasthy emphasized the critical role of early diagnosis. “This case was particularly difficult due to the baby’s underweight condition—she was just 1.8 kg at birth. She was placed on gavage feeding to improve nutrition, which helped her reach 2.3 kg before the surgery. The timely fetal echocardiogram allowed us to plan and prepare for treatment in advance, which significantly improved her chances of survival. It was a team effort, and we are thrilled to see the baby recovering well.”

Dr. K.S. Iyer highlighted the complexity of the procedure, stating, “The Arterial Switch Operation is highly intricate, especially in newborns with multiple heart defects. The baby was premature, and one side of her heart was underdeveloped, making the surgery extremely high-risk. Without intervention, the lack of oxygen circulation would have led to organ failure and ultimately death. Despite these challenges, the operation was a success, and the baby is now on the path to a healthy life.”

Dr. Vikram Aggarwal, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, praised the hospital’s expertise in handling such critical cases. “This case reflects the advanced capabilities of our paediatric cardiology team. Despite the odds, the baby survived due to timely medical intervention and expert surgical precision. We remain committed to delivering world-class healthcare and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients.”

The successful surgery underscores the importance of early detection and specialized neonatal cardiac care, offering hope to families facing similar congenital heart challenges.



0 Comments
Be first to post your comments

Post your comment

Related Articles

Ad 5
×