PUNE, April 21: A tiny VVIP is making her presence felt in the corridors of Military Hospital (MH), Kirkee these days. The "little wonder" as the baby is affectionately called is perhaps the youngest in the country, having made entry into this world within just five-and-half months of pregnancy on March 3, claim the hospital authorities.Twenty seven-year-old Kavita Sreekumar's world came crashing down when she went into pre-term labour although her due date was June 12, 1998, especially since she had been undergoing treatment for primary infertility. But on March 3, the young captain's wife from NDA, Khadakwasla, developed pains and was rushed to Military Hospital, Khadakwasla where the pre-term baby was "aborted," says Lt Col M Kanitkar, the pediatrician in-charge of the baby."The birth weight of the baby girl was just 600 gms who could easily fit into the palm of your hand. Since the baby had spontaneous breathing, it was immediately transported to MH, Kirkee, ensuring that the baby was kept warm andgiving oxygen en route," she explained.Once there, the baby was kept inside an incubator. For four days, the baby was given all nutrition as IV fluids with supplements and oxygen via a hood. The mother remained in the NDA hospital for two days for treatment after which she had to be motivated to come here form a bond with the baby, the pediatrician revealed.Such cases, according to Col Kanitkar are quite rare, especially since there are chances of the baby developing either a visual handicap, hearing disability or mental retardation. But thankfully, the baby seems to be responding to sound and has quick reflexes, she observed. Significantly, it is not hi-tech gadgetry that played an important role in this case, but the dedication of the doctors and simple modifications that has ensured that the baby continues to flourish.The persistence of the team showed results. Once the breathing was easier, feeding was started via a tube passed into the stomach. By the eighth day, the baby could be put onto themother's milk fed via a tube. The baby's weight is a little over one kg which is normal by any standards, she reiterated, adding that none of the medical literature during the last 15 years showed any mention of such a small baby. Although the WHO standards have been modified to 500 gms for viability of such pre-term babies, but in developed countries the survival rate of such babies is quite rare owing to lack of facilities, Lt Col Kanitkar observed.Asked for comments, the mother Kavita recollected the mental trauma she had undergone soon after the birth. Scared to even touch the baby, watching her battle for life was quite an unnerving experience to such an extent that she even gave up hope in between and told the doctors that baby would not survive. "Now I even touch her, carry her and am quite confident about handling her," she proudly remarks keeping an eye on the clock to remind herself about her daughter's 11.30 am feed.In the past three years, the hospital has recorded 18-20 low birth weightbabies per year of which 7-10 have been less than 1.5 kg. The doctor now plans to keep a close watch on the baby and once she weighs around 1.2 kgs, remove her from the incubator which could be by anytime next week. When she weighs around 1.70 kgs, it will be time for the "little wonder' to go home. And time for a tearful adieu for the nursing staff and pediatrician Lt Col Kanitkar.
