Agartala, September 28: Doctors at Tripura Medical College and Dr BRAM Teaching Hospital have successfully treated an 18-day-old boy suffering from a rare and potentially life-threatening intestinal condition, in which twisting of the bowel can cut off its blood supply and cause severe complications.
The infant, Ahadul Islam, was born on August 27 at Makunda Hospital in Dharmanagar to Rubina Begum, 25, and Bilal Mia, 31. He was initially discharged from the hospital, but the family noticed jaundice within a week and sought further medical attention.
During treatment at Agartala Government Medical College, the baby developed repeated episodes of bilious vomiting, prompting doctors to suspect intestinal obstruction and refer him to Tripura Medical College on September 12.
At the hospital's Special Newborn Care Unit, the case was taken up by a team led by paediatric and neonatal surgeon Dr Aniruddha Basak. Investigations confirmed that the infant was suffering from intestinal malrotation with midgut volvulus, a condition in which the intestine twists abnormally and can rapidly compromise its blood supply.
The medical team performed emergency surgery on September 14, when Ahadul was just 18 days old. The operation lasted more than two hours, during which surgeons untwisted the affected intestine and corrected its abnormal positioning.
The child subsequently developed sepsis and required intensive monitoring, antibiotic treatment and specialised neonatal care, doctors said.
The family, facing financial difficulties, left the hospital against medical advice after nine days. They returned for a follow-up visit on September 25, when doctors found the child recovering satisfactorily.
The infant was reportedly clinically stable and was seen in his mother's arms, a welcome development following the complications associated with his condition.
Doctors involved in the case stressed that green or bile-stained vomiting in a newborn should be treated as an emergency symptom and not dismissed as a routine feeding problem.
They said bilious vomiting can indicate intestinal obstruction, including conditions such as malrotation and volvulus, which may require urgent surgical intervention.
The doctors said early recognition of warning signs, prompt referral, rapid diagnosis and access to specialised neonatal surgery were crucial in managing the infant's condition and helping save his life.
