VIJAYAWADA: A preterm baby, born in the sixth month of pregnancy, has successfully undergone a heart surgery at Andhra Hospitals Heart And Brain Institute. The baby, born to Ambica and Prasad on January 18, had a heart disease called patent ductus arteriosus and was treated by the Pediatric Cardiology team at Andhra Hospitals.

The doctors also noted that the baby had premature lungs, called hyaline membrane disease. Surfactant treatment was given and the baby was given respiratory support for three weeks. The Pediatric Cardiology team, led by Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Vikram and Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Dilip, performed a heart surgery in the first week of April. The baby is three-months old now and weighs around 1.8 kg and is ready for discharge.

The chief of children’s services and director, Dr. PV Rama Rao, stated that the credit for the successful heart surgery on the preterm baby goes to the joint team effort of Neonatal Intensive Care unit and Pediatric Cardiology unit. He congratulated the team of doctors.