I am a Chicago-based Neonatologist and was hurt to see irresponsible coverage by the media on the issue of death of a preterm baby at Hospital in New Delhi last week. In the context of the recent incident, involving preterm babies, at the hospital in New Delhi, India, we Dr. Munish Kumar Raizada, a Board Certified practising Neonatologist and colleague doctor will like to bring following points to your attention. We must mention that we studied this coverage in media and also spoke to the Neonatologist who handled the twins.
These newborns were born preterm at approximately 22-23 weeks gestational age. Even in the Western medical community, it is a well-established fact that chances of survival are very dim at this gestational age. A fetus between the age of 22-24 gestational age is considered to be of borderline viability. Survival is 2 % in babies born at 22 weeks and such babies…
