Parents happy as child recovers from 3rd floor fall
Mahima Sikand | TNN

Publication: The Times Of India Mumbai
Date: Nov 12, 2011
Section: Times City
Page: 9

Mumbai: It was business as usual at the Shah household on July 8, until their 18-month-old daughter fell from the balcony of their third floor flat in Vapi. “I had given her milk and went inside to keep the glass. She was playing with her sisters when she climbed on the chair and looked down to see something. She lost her balance and fell,” said Reena, her mother. She was taken to a private nursing home in Vapi, but doctors said they were not equipped to handle such a sensitive and difficult case.

The family was given two hours to reach Mumbai, and a delay of even five minutes could cost Bhavy her life. The Vapi doctor briefed Dr Naresh Biyani, a pediatric neurosurgeon who practises at Bombay Hospital.

“When the baby reached hospital, she was in coma. Her case was very sensitive. Surprisingly, there was no internal or external bleeding, which is what saved her life. But she had fractured her skull,” said Dr Biyani. A CT scan showed that Bhavy had gotten cerebral edema, where there is a considerable swelling in the brain due to excess accumulation of water.

“The brain started expanding because of the fall and it could have led to hemorrhage. Luckily, we were able to operate on her in time and she responded well to surgery,” said Dr Biyani. The surgery involved removing a portion of the skull so that the brain tissues got space to expand. “It’s like taking the lid off a pressure cooker to release the steam. If not done in time, the cooker will burst. That is what would have happened in her brain, causing her death,” he said.

The doctors ensured that no vital brain centre was damaged. After keeping her under observation for a fortnight, the family was told to return in three months. On Monday, the doctors placed the portion of the skull, which was kept under refrigeration, back.

Bhavy’s parents could not stop thanking their luck and Dr Biyani for saving their child. “I am so glad that she has recovered so well,” said Reena.

NAUGHTY AS EVER
- Bhavy got cerebral edema, where there is a considerable swelling in the brain, in July
- The brain started expanding because of the fall and it could have led to hemorrhage
- The surgery involved removing a portion of the skull so that the brain tissues got space to expand
- After keeping the baby under observation for a fortnight, the family was allowed to go back to Vapi
- On Monday, doctors placed the portion back
- Her parents say that Bhavy has recovered and is naughty as ever