Navi Mumbai, 6 December 2024 (TGN): It was a birthday celebration that turned into a tragedy when a SUV crashed into the car in which 5-year-old girl was returning home with her parents after celebrating her mother, Sneha’s birthday. While the father tragically passed away at the accident spot, daughter and her mother were rushed to a nearby hospital. The mother was stable but daughter had suffered multiple critical injuries which led to profuse bleeding from her nose and mouth along with respiratory distress. She was rushed to Apollo Hospital Navi Mumbai for advanced critical care.
Upon arrival at Apollo Hospitals’ emergency room, baby was unconscious and in shock. Examination revealed severe injuries, including fractures of the skull and facial bones as well as limb fractures, multiple fractures in her jaw, wrist, collarbone & lung contusions.
The emergency response system was put in motion and a team of paediatricians, trauma specialists, paediatric anaesthesiologists, plastic surgeons, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists, and nephrologists began to work together to save her life. Doctors across specialities came together to collaborate on a comprehensive treatment plan.
Dr. Abhijit Bagde, Clinical Lead – Paediatric Intensive Care & General Paediatrics, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, said, “This case was one of the most challenging we have encountered due to her young age, the extent & complexity of her injuries with multiple fractures and severe bleeding. The entire hospital’s wishes were with the little one as we began the treatment!”
Two surgeries were performed for the craniofacial and arm fractures with special care due to her young age. Post-surgery, she was closely monitored in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), with the ventilation support. Over the next few days, her condition gradually improved; she was extubated on the second day after surgery with the breathing tube removed to allow her to breathe on her own. Her kidney and liver functions gradually returned to normal with careful monitoring and medical management.
Dr. Bagde added, “It was extremely gratifying to see her recover and slowly regain her strength. Our team’s swift response and collaborative approach were crucial in stabilizing her condition and guiding her recovery through the surgeries & ICU. She made a remarkable recovery and was discharged after 18 days in the hospital.”
Dr. Vinod Vij, Sr. Consultant Plastic Surgery & Cosmetology, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, remarked, “Reconstructing facial fractures in such a young child is a delicate process, and it was important to ensure minimal impact on her growing facial structures. Our team worked meticulously to restore her appearance and functionality, and the results have been highly positive.”
Ms. Samata Goud, baby’s Aunt expressed her gratitude, “Our family cannot thank the team at Apollo Hospitals enough. Their immediate response at a critical time was invaluable. They not only provided exceptional medical care but also supported us emotionally during this difficult time. Their efforts to save my niece life mean the world to us. We are also incredibly grateful to the media. Because of their coverage, many people came forward to donate, and we were able to ensure she received the proper treatment she needed.”
“Throughout her recovery, she underwent physiotherapy to restore normal movement in her limbs. At the time of discharge on November 25th, she had regained her speech, could sit without support, and was walking with minimal assistance. Her mother was trained to continue the physiotherapy exercises at home. Psychological counselling also supported her recovery from post-traumatic stress”
