Permanent pacemaker implant surgery at Fortis Mohali saves underweight newborn

The Department of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Hospital Mohali, successfully saved the life of a 1.6 kg underweight newborn via Permanent Pacemaker Implant Surgery.

A 24-week pregnant woman was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – an autoimmune disease wherein the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues, joints, kidneys, lungs and brain. At 29-weeks, an ultrasound revealed that the baby had extremely low heart rate and showed signs of congestive heart failure, along with hydrops fetalis.

The woman immediately underwent an emergency lower segment caesarean section and the baby was shifted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where he was put on  ventilator. The surgery involved placing a battery-powered device in the baby’s heart to regulate a slow or damaged heartbeat.

In a press release, Dr TS Mahant, executive director, CTVS, Fortis Hospital Mohali, said, “This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis, coordinated multidisciplinary care, and the availability of advanced neonatal cardiac interventions. Awareness needs to be spread on the early detection of congenital heart defects.”