A 14-year-old girl from the Guntakal area was admitted to KIMS Cuddles, Kurnool, in a highly critical condition due to multi-organ failure. Her chances of survival were estimated to be just 15%. However, thanks to the timely and expert intervention of Dr. Naveen Reddy, Senior Consultant Pediatrician and Pediatric Intensivist, and his team, the girl made a miraculous recovery. Dr. Naveen Reddy shared the details of this extraordinary case with the media.
The girl, a student of class 8, initially presented with fever, cough, and abdominal pain. Her condition deteriorated rapidly by the second day—she became unresponsive. Upon being taken to a local hospital, doctors noted a drastic drop in her blood pressure and referred her immediately to KIMS Cuddles.
At the time of admission, her blood pressure was dangerously low—only 60/30 mmHg, whereas a normal reading for her age should be around 110/70. Her heart function was also severely compromised, dropping to just 15%, when a healthy range would be at least 65%.
Her liver had almost completely failed, resulting in an ammonia level of 813 (normal: <70) and SGOT levels at an alarming 12,000 (normal: <40). Her kidneys were also severely affected—creatinine levels had risen to 7 (normal: <0.9) and urea to 211 (normal: <20). She also had great difficulty in breathing. She was diagnosed with Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS), a life-threatening condition with extremely low chances of survival.
Treatment was initiated immediately. She was placed on a mechanical ventilator, and medications were given to stabilise her blood pressure. Since both her liver and kidneys were failing rapidly, dialysis had to be started immediately. After discussing with her family, the team initiated Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy (CKRT)—a highly advanced form of dialysis. After 72 hours of advanced critical care treatment, her condition began to stabilise.
She remained in the ICU for a week and treatment was being optimised depending on her condition. She was later transferred to ward and necessary rehabilitation was provided for her recovery. With the unwavering support of her family and the meticulous nursing care, she is now ready to begin a new chapter in life.
MODS – A Dangerous Condition
MODS in children can result from various infections, malnutrition, and hypotension, leading to progressive organ failure. At KIMS Cuddles, the availability of advanced facilities and a team of doctors specialised in pediatric critical care made it possible to handle such a critical situation. Dr. Naveen Reddy emphasized the importance of quick response and the role of a dedicated PICU team in such life-threatening cases.