Timely, lifesaving pediatric cardiac surgeries helped change the course of life for a 20-day old newborn and a 7-year-old child, cases that remind us why medicine still feels deeply personal even on the most clinical days. These were not routine procedures. They were high risk, carefully timed interventions where every hour mattered, and everyone in the room could feel that.
The male newborn was brought to Yatharth Super Specialty Hospital, Greater Noida, within days of birth after showing signs of severe breathing difficulty and bluish discoloration of the skin. At just under three kilograms in weight, the child was diagnosed with D Transposition of the Great Arteries, a critical congenital heart defect where the main arteries of the heart are abnormally connected, preventing oxygen rich blood from circulating properly in the body.
Dr Viresh Mahajan, Chairman Pediatric Cardiac Sciences, Yatharth Hospital, explained that in such conditions, early intervention is often the only chance of survival. “This baby was extremely young and fragile, but the diagnosis was clear. Without surgery, the outcome would have been very poor. Timing was everything in this case, and delaying the procedure would have increased the risk significantly,” he said. After detailed counselling with the child’s father and obtaining high risk consent, the pediatric cardiac team performed an arterial switch operation. The surgery itself was complex and required post operative ventilator support and intensive care monitoring. The newborn experienced expected complications related to lung congestion and required respiratory therapy, medication support, and gradual weaning from oxygen. The baby showed steady clinical improvement over the next few days. Cardiac function and oxygen levels remained stable, and feeding improved. He was discharged in a stable condition on room air.
The second case, a seven-year-old child had been living with a known cyanotic congenital heart disease involving single ventricle physiology. The child had previously undergone a palliative procedure but was now experiencing increasing fatigue and worsening cyanosis, indicating that further surgical intervention was necessary.
Dr Ved Prakash, Director and Head of Department CTVS, Yatharth Hospital, explained that children with single ventricle heart conditions often require planned, sequential cardiac procedures over time. “This child had already undergone earlier intervention, but as the body grows, circulation needs change. The next surgical step becomes crucial to ensure long term stability and quality of life,” he said. After thorough evaluation and cardiac imaging, the team planned and performed a cardiac procedure. The surgery was conducted under general anesthesia and required close post operative monitoring, blood product support and gradual respiratory recovery. The child responded well to treatment, was extubated early and oxygen support was successfully withdrawn within a short period.Post-surgery cardiac evaluation showed stable cardiac function with satisfactory oxygen levels. The child was discharged in a stable condition, feeding well, active and maintaining satisfactory oxygen levels on room air. Parents were counselled extensively on post discharge care and follow up.
Speaking during the briefing, Dr. Viresh Mahajan said, “When a newborn comes in struggling to breathe, turning blue, weighing less than three kilos, you stop thinking in terms of departments or designations. You think in terms of minutes and teamwork. These surgeries were challenging, yes, but they were also deeply motivating for our entire pediatric cardiac team.” Dr. Ved Prakash added, “Pediatric cardiac surgery is as much about precision as it is about timing. In both these cases, delaying intervention would have changed the outcome completely. Seeing these children recover, stabilize and go home feeding well is the real reward for all of us.”
Dr. Sunil Kumar Baliyan, COO & Facility Director, Yatharth Hospital, Greater Noida, said, “When it comes to pediatric cardiac care, success depends not only on clinical expertise but also on preparedness, infrastructure and seamless coordination. These two cases involved extremely fragile patients where every decision had to be precise and timely. I am proud of our doctors, nurses and support teams who worked relentlessly, ensuring that both children received the highest level of care at the right moment.”
Mr. Amit Singh, Group CEO, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospitals, added, “These stories reflect the very purpose of healthcare, saving lives when the odds are toughest. At Yatharth, we remain committed to strengthening advanced pediatric cardiac services so that families do not have to look beyond NCR for critical, life-saving care.”
The parents of the children, visibly emotional yet composed, shared brief words of gratitude. “We were terrified. We did not understand the medical terms, but the doctors kept explaining, again and again, until we felt confident. Today our child is alive, and that is everything.” said parents of the newborn.
