Kinkini Gupta
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Written By: Kinkini Gupta | Updated : May 15, 2025 2:01 PM IST
Life-Saving Treatment: Pune Doctors Save Preterm Infant Battling Rotavirus-Related Encephalitis
In a rare and miraculous rare case, doctors at Ankura Hospital In Aundh, Pune successfully treated a preterm baby who was diagnosed with Rotavirus-related Encephalitis. Rotavirus-related Encephalitis is a complicated condition which can lead to serious challenges in the infants brain if it remained undiagnosed or suffers a delayed diagnosis.
According to reports, the baby was born at 35 weeks and weighed just over two kg. The infant was one of the twins delivered through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). Initially, the baby was discharged from the hospital after a brief stay in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). The doctors explained that the baby as kept in neonatal care for mild breathing issues after which he/she was brought back to the hospital on the ninth day with unusual symptoms like poor feeding and lethargy. However, doctors confirm that the newborn did not have fever, vomiting pr diarrhoea. All these symptoms were suspected as it is linked with symptoms of Rotavirus.
According to the statement issued by the Pune doctors, they were puzzled by the symptoms as well. One of the doctors, a consultant neonatologist, said, "We ruled out common conditions like neonatal sepsis and birth-related oxygen shortage. An MRI of the brain showed subtle white matter changes areas critical for brain communication suggesting Encephalitis. However, common viral PCR panels on CSF tested negative."
According to another statement to the media from the head of NICU, this case seemed unusual because of the absence of the typical symptoms of the infection and the presence of bradycardia slow heart rate and short pauses in breathing. The head also went on to say that in such delicate cases, even small symptoms can be vital clues.
The head of NICU further informed that Rotavirus is commonly known for causing Gastroenteritis and it has been associated with neurological complications such as seizures and Encephalopathy. He was quoted saying, "Exact incidence in neonates is not well established. However, primarily because most studies and surveillance systems focus on older infants and children (typically six months to five years' old) where Rotavirus is most prevalent. Neonatal cases are likely underreported, and Encephalopathy may be missed or misattributed to birth-related Hypoxia or metabolic issues.
Here's what the doctors did, according to official reports:
