Date:22/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/01/22/stories/2005012202281500.htm

Back Nitric oxide saves life of newborn

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Jan. 21

NITRIC oxide (NO) is one of the commonly used industrial gases used in industrial production process. Refined to medical grade, it has medical applications. Doctors in Hyderabad have successfully used this gas, in combination with a sophisticated gadget, to rescue a new-born from certain death.

Rekha, born on January 3, accidentally inhaled fluids at birth, causing severe swelling in her lungs and breathing problems. This resulted in very low levels of blood oxygen (hypoxemia), a life-threatening condition if persisted for long.

Doctors at the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), used a specified dose of nitric oxide, which entered the baby's lungs through a ventilator, caused relaxation of the muscles and increased levels of blood oxygen.

The delivery of this gas was facilitated through a High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation. After two days of treatment, the baby progressed and it is now on mother's feed and ready for discharge, explained Dr V.S.V. Prasad, Chief Consultant Paediatrician at KIMS.

The procedure has been done for the first time in the country and the KIMS is the only hospital to have both the equipment and expertise to use nitric oxide, Dr Prasad told a newsconference today.

The High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilator, which it imported from the UK, delivers breaths at the rate of 300 to 600 per minute. Dr Prasad said that while the treatment procedure using nitric oxide was common in the West, there was only one supplier of medical grade gas in India, from Bangalore. It can be used in cardiac cases also where the patient is suffering from pulmonary hypertension.