Hyderabad, 16th April, 2022: In a extremely rare high-risk pregnancy, Doctors of Medicover hospital, Chandanagar, had exhibited excellence and turned out to be a lifesaver for the mother and the child.
A 21-year-old lady Pravallika from Jagityal district, who was eight months pregnant (35 weeks late preterm pregnancy), was admitted to Medicover hospital, Chandanagar. Her main medical problem was low platelet count to which other hospitals refused to admit her. She finally reached Medicover hospitals, where she was admitted under Dr Neethi Mala Mekala - Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Fertility Specialist, Sonologist (Obs & Gynae.) & Medico-legal Consultant.
On evaluation Pravallika was found to have very low platelet count of 1000 and has rare blood group - O negative. Usually, such pregnancies are called "Rh-negative pregnancy". Most importantly, we must know that only 7 out of every 100 people have such a blood group.
On examinations carried out by Dr Neethi Mala Mekala, it was found that she had chronic ITP (immunological disorder). It is a disease that affects one in every 10,000 pregnant women. Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a blood disorder characterised by a decrease in the blood platelet count. Platelets are blood cells that help in blood clotting. The risk of bleeding increases due to low platelet levels. Normal platelet levels are usually above 100000 (one lakh) mark in pregnant women, but in Pravallika case, it was only 1000 (thousand).
On further examination the amniotic fluid was found to be very less [AFI 1-2] and the fetus heartbeat was also irregular, and there was fetal bradycardia ( fetal heart rate was dropping)
Now for the safety of both the mother and the unborn child, it became necessary to do delivery and take the baby out. At the same time, saving a mother's life with only 1000 platelets was a challenging task as patient has extremely high chances of excessive bleeding which requires multiple blood transfusions, with limited availability of O Negative blood group in blood banks.
Dr Neethi Mala Mekala explained to the patient's parents that this was a tough time and to save baby immediate delivery had to be done, but delivery imposes increase risk of bleeding
This point, Dr Neethi Mala Mekala decided to operate on the patient, taking this as a challenge to save both the mother and the child. The patient was administered platelets and required medicines (since intraoperative blood loss was anticipated )and , and on the other hand, they did the delivery and saved the baby. Patient had postpartum haemorhage which was managed efficiently.
Even the born preterm baby had low platelet count. Therefore, she was kept in the NICU under the care of a paediatrician for four days.
Under the supervision of Dr P Kiranmayi, who is a general physician at Medicover hospitals, Chanda Nagar; steroids were administered to the patient in post operative period and her blood platelet count increased.
Dr. Vishwesh- head of critical care and anesthesiologist, monitored patient in ICU along with Dr Neethi Mala
Both the mother and the baby were discharged in good condition. Both survivors and their family members are extremely happy today and are thankful to the doctors and Medicover Hospitals for giving them a new lease of life.
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