Hoskote, Bangalore – July 2025
It was a quiet morning when the emergency room doors burst open at Ovum Woman and Child Speciality Hospital, Hoskote. In her father’s trembling arms lay a small child — just three years old, pale, unresponsive, and barely breathing. Her young body was in crisis. Her chances? Uncertain.
But what followed was nothing short of extraordinary — a symphony of skill, compassion, and split-second decisions that transformed a nightmarish situation into a story of hope and healing.
The Descent into Crisis
Until the previous day, the child had shown nothing more alarming than an upset stomach. Loose stools and a little fatigue — symptoms every parent has seen. But beneath the surface, something far more dangerous was brewing.
By the time she reached Ovum Hospital, her condition had rapidly deteriorated. She had slipped into unconsciousness. Her oxygen saturation had plummeted to a critical 45%, her blood pressure hovered at 70/30 mmHg, and her tiny lungs were failing. Her body was going into shock.
She was dying.
Team Ovum Takes Over
For most, this would be overwhelming. But for the emergency team led by Dr. Pramod V U, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Incharge, and Dr. Somashekhar P V, PICU Consultant, this was a call to act fast — and act smart.
They initiated bag-mask ventilation, but her oxygen refused to rise. She was intubated immediately using rapid-sequence protocols. Frothy fluid emerged from her lungs — a telltale sign of pulmonary edema. A bedside ultrasound showed left ventricular dysfunction, pointing toward a heart struggling under stress.
She was moved urgently to the PICU, where advanced life-saving measures began.
A Hidden Culprit: The Metabolic Storm
Once in PICU, the gravity of the situation deepened. Her blood pH was unrecordable, her lactate soared to 9.2 mmol/L, and metabolic acidosis had set in. Her organs were starved for oxygen and energy.
Doctors quickly launched a broad-spectrum antibiotic regimen, but also sensed something deeper — a metabolic or mitochondrial disorder. They began a metabolic cocktail therapy — a specialized blend of vitamins and cofactors including thiamine, biotin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, CoQ10, and carnitine.
It was a critical gamble, guided by experience and urgency. And it worked.
The Silent Brain: A Neurologist Steps In
As her body began responding, her brain remained eerily still. She didn’t flinch. Didn’t respond. There was growing concern about encephalopathy or brain dysfunction.
At this pivotal point, Dr. Sharath Babu M D, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, joined the care team. With a calm yet focused demeanor, he guided neuroprotective interventions — including hypertonic saline and a comprehensive neurological care plan.
His insight and experience brought clarity in chaos. It wasn’t just about survival now — it was about recovery with dignity, memory, movement, and mind.
The Turning Point
The next 24 hours were filled with tension and tiny signs of progress.
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Her acidosis improved.
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She tolerated CPAP and transitioned to high-flow oxygen, then room air.
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Consciousness returned — first flickers, then focus.
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Her inotropes were tapered, and oral feeds resumed.
By Day 5, she was not just stable — she was smiling.
No longer a patient on life support, she was once again a child — curious, bright-eyed, and hungry for life.
Diagnosis Confirmed: Mitochondrial Complex III Deficiency
The final piece of the puzzle came via Whole Exome Sequencing, which revealed a rare genetic disorder — Mitochondrial Complex III Deficiency. It affects how cells produce energy, making even minor infections dangerous.
With a clear diagnosis, her long-term management began — continuing the mitochondrial cocktail and building a roadmap for her future.
She was discharged on Day 5 — walking out of the hospital, holding her mother’s hand.
Behind the Scenes: Ovum’s Model of Care
This case is more than a medical triumph — it’s a story of what happens when expertise meets empathy. Ovum Hospital’s integrated care model — where emergency doctors, intensivists, neurologists, and diagnostic experts work side by side — made this outcome possible.
Dr. Venugopal Reddy, Medical Director of Ovum Group of Hospitals, shared:
“Every child deserves a fighting chance, and that’s what we’re here to give. Our teams are not just trained — they’re deeply committed. This case reminds us that behind every emergency is a family, and behind every recovery is a team that refused to give up.”
About Ovum Hospitals
Ovum Woman and Child Speciality Hospitals is a trusted name in maternal and pediatric healthcare, with centers across Bangalore. Specializing in neonatology, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, and fertility, Ovum is dedicated to evidence-based medicine with a heart.
Their mission? To provide compassionate, collaborative care that puts families at the center of every decision.
A Story to Remember
She arrived at the edge of life. She left full of it.
Her story — from silence to laughter, from coma to recovery — is a reminder that even in the darkest hour, there is light. And at Ovum Hospital, that light shines bright through the hearts and hands of those who never stop fighting for every child.