Fri Dec 27 21:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Micro-Preemie Defies Odds, Thrives After 100-Day NICU Stay

**Navi Mumbai, December 28, 2024** – A micro-preemie baby boy, born at just 23 weeks of gestation weighing a mere 680 grams, has been discharged from Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar after a remarkable 100-day stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The infant, born to a 37-year-old mother, defied extremely low odds of survival, as babies born before 24 weeks typically have a 30-40% survival rate.

The medical team, led by consultant obstetrician Dr. Pratima Thamke and lead consultant of neonatology and paediatrics Dr. Anish Pillai, credited the successful outcome to early intervention and continuous monitoring. The mother, Neha Bhatt (name changed), experienced several complications during her pregnancy, including a shortened cervix requiring a cervical cerclage procedure and a urinary tract infection. Despite these challenges, the team managed to stabilize the mother and eventually delivered the baby via a preterm vaginal birth.

The newborn faced numerous health issues common in extremely premature babies, including respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, and anaemia. However, thanks to specialized care, including a Giraffe incubator, medication, timely therapy, and continuous skin-to-skin contact, the baby’s condition steadily improved. He gained weight, eventually reaching 2.26 kg at the time of discharge on November 21, 2024. Follow-up examinations have shown normal results for brain function, hearing, and neurological assessments.

Doctors emphasized the crucial role of early intervention in high-risk pregnancies and the dedication of the NICU team in achieving this exceptional outcome. The baby’s survival serves as a testament to advancements in neonatal care and highlights the importance of specialized treatment for micro-preemies.

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