Bangalore, India – July 2025
What happens when time runs out, when a child’s breath fades, and when panic strikes a parent’s heart? At Ovum Woman and Child Speciality Hospital, Hoskote, such moments are met not with despair, but with precision, persistence, and hope.

This is the story of a three-year-old girl — unresponsive, gasping, and on the verge of collapse — who defied fate with the help of a determined team of pediatric specialists. A story that speaks not only to the brilliance of modern medicine but to the unbreakable will of a young life and the unwavering commitment of those who care.

A Race Against Time

It was an ordinary day that turned extraordinary in the most frightening way. The child, already managing a mild developmental delay and born of a consanguineous marriage, had spent the previous day battling diarrhea and labored breathing. But things worsened quickly — far too quickly.

By the time she reached Ovum Hospital’s Emergency Room, she was unresponsive. Her oxygen saturation had plunged to 45%, her blood pressure was critically low, and her lungs were failing. Every second mattered.

Swift Action, Smart Medicine

The ER team, led by Dr. Pramod V U (PICU Incharge) and Dr. Somashekhar P V (PICU Consultant), wasted no time. She was ventilated, then intubated using rapid sequence intubation — a high-stakes, high-skill procedure. Frothy secretions hinted at pulmonary edema; an ultrasound confirmed cardiac stress and fluid overload.

With these red flags, the child was quickly admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), where the battle for her life escalated. But so did the expertise on her side.

Metabolic Storm: Fighting the Invisible Enemy

Her blood results painted a dire picture: severe metabolic acidosis, almost unreadable blood pH, and lactate levels above 9 — all indicating a possible mitochondrial or metabolic crisis.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics were started immediately. But it was the launch of a metabolic cocktail therapy — including thiamine, biotin, CoQ10, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and carnitine — that became the cornerstone of her treatment. This wasn’t just protocol; it was instinct built on experience, a decision that bought her time.

When the Brain Is at Stake: Enter Neurology

Despite stabilizing the body, her mind remained distant. The child showed no meaningful neurological response — a frightening sign. At this crucial juncture, Dr. Sharath Babu M D, a seasoned Pediatric Neurologist, joined the care team.

His evaluation revealed signs of acute encephalopathy. He implemented neuroprotective strategies, initiated hypertonic saline, and led the team through the delicate dance of protecting her brain during systemic recovery.

It was a race not just to save life — but to preserve quality of life.

Little Wins, Then Big Ones

Then came the turning point. Slowly but surely, her vitals began to stabilize:

  • Ventilator settings were decreased.

  • She passed a CPAP trial.

  • Extubation succeeded.

  • She opened her eyes.

Soon, inotropes were weaned off. Oral feeding resumed. Her body and brain were coming back online — in sync, in harmony.

By Day 5, this tiny warrior was off oxygen, smiling, eating, and playing. She had done what few could — and she didn’t do it alone.

The Diagnosis: A Rare Disorder, Finally Uncovered

As her recovery unfolded, a deeper question lingered: What caused this storm in the first place?

The answer came through Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) — a genetic test that confirmed the presence of Mitochondrial Complex III Deficiency, a rare disorder that affects energy production at a cellular level.

With this confirmed diagnosis, the medical team could fine-tune her long-term therapy. The mitochondrial cocktail would now become part of her daily life — a lifeline to stability and strength.

Healing With Heart: Ovum’s Philosophy in Action

This case wasn’t just about technology or medicine. It was about Ovum Hospital’s commitment to collaborative care, rapid response, and human-first healing. Every department — emergency, critical care, neurology, diagnostics — came together not just to save a life, but to give it back with dignity.

Dr. Venugopal Reddy, Medical Director of Ovum Group of Hospitals, reflected on the case:

“What we witnessed was a true testament to teamwork. When every second matters, it’s not just medicine that saves — it’s collaboration. This is why Ovum exists — to bring hope where there was none, and healing where there was fear.”

About Ovum Hospitals

With a legacy built on trust and results, Ovum Woman and Child Speciality Hospitals is one of Bangalore’s leading destinations for maternal and child health. Known for evidence-based care in pediatrics, neonatology, obstetrics, gynecology, and fertility, Ovum is redefining healthcare with a family-centric model, bringing advanced treatments and compassionate care under one roof.

Whether it’s a complex neurological crisis or the birth of new life, Ovum stands ready — with hands that heal and hearts that care.

One child’s crisis became a hospital’s mission.
One hospital’s mission became a family’s miracle.
And that miracle… became a message of hope for us all.