Agartala: In a truly inspiring story of medical grit and timely intervention, a team of dedicated doctors, nurses, and health workers at Agartala Government Medical College and GB Pant Hospital have successfully pulled a critically ill seven-month-old baby girl back from the brink of acute kidney injury. Little Adrija Debnath’s arduous battle against the life-threatening condition culminated in a full recovery, offering a beacon of hope for many.
Adrija, daughter of Abhijit Debnath, was first admitted to the Pediatric Department on May 13, battling a week-long history of high fever and bloody diarrhoea. Her condition upon admission was alarming: reduced and dark-coloured urine, facial swelling, refusal to eat, and severe physical weakness. The gravity of her situation prompted an immediate shift to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Initial blood reports painted a grim picture, revealing dangerously high levels of urea (150 mg/dL) and creatinine (2.1 mg/dL), along with severe anaemia (haemoglobin 6 g/dL) and a low platelet count. These indicators pointed towards Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a rare but serious condition that can lead to acute kidney failure in children.
Despite initial stabilization efforts, Adrija’s condition worsened, with complete cessation of urine output and a further spike in urea and creatinine levels. Her parents, informed about the urgent need for peritoneal dialysis, initially sought treatment at a private hospital in Kolkata. However, the prohibitive cost – an estimated Rs 70,000 per night and a staggering Rs 15 lakh for the full course – forced the lower-middle-class family to return to Agartala.
On May 19, the child was readmitted to GB Hospital in a critical state. Her urea had skyrocketed to 295 mg/dL, creatinine to 6.3 mg/dL, and haemoglobin had plummeted to a life-threatening 3.5 g/dL. With parental consent, the hospital immediately commenced emergency peritoneal dialysis and blood transfusions under the expert supervision of Associate Professor Dr. Srivas Das. Adrija’s condition began to improve steadily, a testament to the swift and effective medical care she received.
By May 26, the little warrior was stable enough to be shifted to the general pediatric ward, with her urea levels dropping to a healthy 1 mg/dL, creatinine at 0.6 mg/dL, and haemoglobin improving to 9.4 g/dL. In a heartwarming development, all medical expenses for Adrija’s extensive treatment were fully covered under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) schemes, ensuring the family did not bear the immense financial burden. The dedicated medical team included Associate Professor Dr. Srivas Das, Assistant Professor Dr. Chayan Chakma, Senior Resident Dr. Chandana S, and PGT doctors Dr. Pranab Reang, Saugat Saha, and Dr. Atek.
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