Mira-Bhayandar: A 26-year-old woman with extremely low hemoglobin levels and battling catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLA) syndrome during her eighth month of pregnancy, delivered a healthy preterm baby at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, after a life-saving multidisciplinary intervention.
The remarkable feat was achieved by consultant obstetrics, gynecologist and laparoscopic surgeon- Dr. Rajashri Bhasale and her team comprising- nephrologist Dr. Puneet Bhuwania and Hematologist Dr. Muralidharan C.
The woman delivered a healthy preterm baby weighing 1.2 kg following an emergency cesarean section and an intensive medical intervention, including plasmapheresis therapy, multiple blood transfusions, and steroid treatments to improve the baby’s lung maturity. .
The patient’s hemoglobin dropped to 2 (g/dL) by the time she reached Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. Fortunately, the mother and the baby were safe due to the timely intervention by the skilled team of doctors.
“This was one of the most challenging and unique cases. The patient arrived with severe anemia with hemoglobin of 2, pulmonary edema, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) which means her blood thinning power had been lost as this was confirmed via a D-dimer, her USG reports were normal. However, the baby’s health started deteriorating. First, we suspected abruption after extensive blood product transfusions, we stabilized enough for surgery while taking care of failure and Pulmonary edema. Emergency LSCS done after stabilizing the 1.2 kg baby was delivered, but there were no signs of Abruption.” said Dr. Bhasale. Catastrophic APLA syndrome was also n detected.
The condition, seen in approximately one in 2 to 5 lakh individuals, posed severe risks to both mother and baby. This rare immunological condition caused her body to destroy hemoglobin, necessitating plasmapheresis therapy which is a type of dialysis procedure to remove harmful proteins.
“The team’s collective effort and timely intervention saved both mother and baby. Thankfully, we could stabilize her and deliver a healthy baby despite the odds.” she added.
“I am thankful to Dr Rajashri and her team as they provided us with timely diagnosis and treatment. When I was admitted, I was so weak that I thought I wouldn’t survive, But the team at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road didn’t give up on me. They explained everything clearly and treated me with care and compassion. My baby and I are alive today because of them, and we are forever grateful,” said the patient who resides in Palghar.
