8-Month-Old Baby Sustaining Complex Head Injury in An Accident Saved by Wockhardt Hospital
A ghastly accident changed the life of the Mehra family (name changed) as their 8-month-old daughter was severely injured and spent over 2 weeks on a ventilator, and a month in Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road. The car dashed by the bike while returning from Gorai, Borivali. The baby is discharged now and is recovering well.
Mr Salil and Mrs. Sonali Mehra (name changed), were happy after the arrival of their first baby Misha (name changed) amid pandemic. The couple had to stay at home owing to the Covid-19 outbreak to minimize the risk of Coronavirus and other infections. During the unlock phase, the family planned a vacation at Gorai, Borivali to break the monotony. While returning from the picnic the family met with an accident. Other family members sustained minor injuries, whereas, baby Misha was fighting for life at Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road.
Dr. Ankit Gupta Lead Paediatric Critical care specialist, Wockhardt Hospital Mira Road said, “This baby was in the front seat with her father after A bike dashed against the car, and the airbags opened. The active airbags inflated and the baby was caught between the airbags and the grandfather’s head. She sustained a complex head injury and came in an emergency. She was comatose on presentation and had a depressed skull fracture and the fragments of the fracture were pressing against the brain. Few fragments had torn the important veins in the brain. This led to increased hemorrhage which was dangerously compressing the vital centers of the brain making it extremely life-threatening. After stabilizing her and counseling the family, the baby underwent an emergency craniotomy. After 2 hours of surgery, the girl was in the ICU and on the ventilator for 2 weeks, she had a stormy post operation course.”
Dr. Vinod Rambal, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Wockhardt Hospital Mira Road said, “A craniotomy is a surgery to cut a bony opening in the skull. A section of the skull known as a bone flap will be taken out to be able to access the brain underneath and remove the hematomas that are blood clots from the left side of the brain before it causes damage. Then, the bone flap was closed.
Dr. Dipesh Pimpale, Consultant Neurologist, Wockhardt Hospital Mira Road added, “The Child developed refractory seizures and raised intracranial pressure treating the same was very challenging. At the time of discharge, the baby is active, playful , and tolerating feeds and recognizing her parents. Currently with anti-seizure medicines and physiotherapy she is improving and gaining her milestones. Her recovery is promising and she will require follow-up till she is4 TO 5 YR to look for brain and body development.
The patient’s father Salil Mehra said, “We were elated on the birth of our first baby. Adhering to the Covid norms, we planned a family outing, and unfortunately, met with an accident. My wife was inconsolable and wept after Misha was unconscious due to a head injury. Our world came crashing down as my baby didn’t respond. We were disturbed and felt helpless seeing her in pain. But we didn’t lose hope as the doctors at Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road assured us that they will treat her. We are proud of her as she was able to cheat death with the help of the doctors.”
If you are traveling with a baby, make sure to install the car seat in the middle of the back seat. Do not install a rear-facing car seat in the front seat if there is an active passenger airbag as that will lead to injuries to the baby. See that the harness straps fit our baby properly and do not leave your baby alone in the car seat.
