Haryana Woman Delivers Healthy Baby After Groundbreaking Treatment for Rare Blood Disorder
New Delhi — In a landmark medical achievement, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi have successfully treated a fetus suffering from a rare blood disorder through an intrauterine blood transfusion, resulting in the birth of a healthy baby. This marks the first procedure of its kind in India and only the eighth case reported globally.
Seven Failed Pregnancies Overcome
The patient, a woman from Haryana, had previously endured seven unsuccessful pregnancies. During her eighth pregnancy, she received six fetal blood transfusions and gave birth to a healthy child. Both mother and newborn have since been discharged in good health, according to a statement from the hospital.
Rare Blood Incompatibility
Dr. Neena Malhotra, head of the obstetrics and gynecology department at AIIMS, explained that the incompatibility between the red blood cells of the mother and the baby can lead to severe complications such as anemia, jaundice, heart failure, and even fetal death. While the most common known incompatibility is due to the RhD antigen, in this case, the mother was negative for the Rh 17 antigen, a rare condition that led to the loss of seven pregnancies.
Breakthrough Diagnosis and Treatment
When the woman came to AIIMS during her seventh pregnancy, her child had already died in the womb. The Blood Bank team, led by Dr. Hem Chandra Pandey, identified her rare blood group. During her eighth pregnancy, at five months, the fetus was found to be anemic and in urgent need of blood. Despite identifying the rare blood group, the required blood was not available in India.
International Collaboration
The obstetrics and gynecology department coordinated with Dr. Pandey and contacted the Japanese Red Cross, which confirmed the availability of the needed blood. With the help of AIIMS’s social service department and various NGOs, funds and necessary permits for the blood transfer were arranged within 48 hours. The blood was promptly imported from Japan.
Successful Outcome
The fetus received six intrauterine blood transfusions, successfully reversing the condition of hydrops (heart failure). “This is the first case of a successful pregnancy outcome in a case of alloimmunization due to Rh 17 Ag in India and the eighth case in the world,” AIIMS stated. The successful treatment stands out as a significant medical breakthrough.
Future Implications
This case highlights the importance of rapid diagnosis, international collaboration, and innovative medical intervention in overcoming rare and challenging medical conditions. It opens new avenues for treating similar cases in the future, potentially saving many lives.
For further updates and detailed news, visit Sarhind Times.
+ There are no comments
Add yours