Aakash Healthcare rose to the occasion to save life
New Delhi: Doctors in Aakash Healthcare saved the life of a one-and-a-half-year-old girl who accidentally swallowed a peanut while playing. The peanut got lodged in her airway, causing air to leak inside her chest. Air from the lungs was escaping and spreading into the surrounding tissues. The peanut fragment had completely blocked the airway, leading to a severe shortage of oxygen in the body and increasing pressure on the lungs.
In a critical condition, the child’s family rushed her to Aakash Healthcare. According to Dr. Sameer Punia, Pediatric Intensive Care Specialist, the child was brought to the hospital with extremely low oxygen levels. Tests revealed that air from the lungs was leaking into surrounding tissues, indicating severe damage to the airway. The child was immediately admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and placed on ventilator support.
Dr. Sameer explained saying, ‘ that this was not a typical choking case but a serious pulmonary emergency. The peanut piece had completely obstructed the airway, causing oxygen levels in the body to drop rapidly and putting excessive pressure on the lungs.’
Dr. Akshay Budhraja,Senior Consultant & HOD- Respiratory & Sleep Medicine said, ‘the peanut fragment had torn the inner lining of the airway, resulting in significant air leakage within the chest. Considering the existing lung damage, the procedure to remove the peanut had to be performed with extreme caution and precision.’
After the procedure, the child remained on ventilator support for several days. Following treatment, she has now fully recovered and has not suffered any neurological complications.
Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director of Aakash Healthcare, said, ‘this case serves as an important warning for parents. Giving very young children foods such as nuts and popcorn can be dangerous, as they may get stuck in the airway and cause serious lung injury.
Dr Chaudhry added, ‘the child’s life was saved due to excellent coordination between pediatric specialists, respiratory experts, ENT surgeons, anesthetists, and the critical care team.’
