SVIMS Saves 28-Week Premature Infant
TIRUPATI: The pediatric department of Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) and Sri Padmavathi Women’s Medical College, Tirupati, successfully treated a 28-week premature baby with severe respiratory distress using intensive neonatal care.
The baby was born to Poojitha, a resident of Lakkinenipalli village in Kurabalakota mandal of Annamayya district, who was admitted to the gynecology department on February 5, 2026. She underwent surgery the same day and gave birth to her baby in the seventh month of her pregnancy.
Head of the department of pediatrics, Dr. Puneeth said the newborn’s lungs were underdeveloped due to extreme prematurity. The baby, who received surfactant treatment to support lung functions, was placed on ventilator support in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
He said that during the treatment, the baby developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a serious condition seen in premature babies, and it was treated successfully. He said the NICU in the pediatric department has been upgraded with modern equipment supported by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, enabling doctors to handle such high-risk cases.
SVIMS director and vice-rector Dr. RV Kumar said the baby received full treatment in the NICU and is recovering under close medical supervision. Such treatment would cost around Rs 4 lakh in private hospitals, but Dr. It is provided free of cost at SVIMS under NTR Vaidya Seva programme, he said.
Dr. He said that children of families with NTR Vaidya Seva and EHS cards can avail free treatment at the pediatric department of SVIMS. Doctors from the Department of Child Health and Diseases were also there.
