“Parmeshwarani Je Pan Dile Amala, Tey Amala Sweekar Ahey”
Nagpur: The birth of a Harlequin baby is a rare occurrence. While speaking to Nagpur Today, International President of Comhad*, UK Dr Uday Bodhankar said that Harlequin babies are rare and the birth of such babies are one in 300000 babies.
Dr Bodhankar who specializes in Pediatrics said that the Ultra Sound and Sonography test clearly shows this condition in the babies. He said that when subjected to Sonography test at 4th month itself one could have surmised about the abnormality. However the abnormality is clearer in the 6th month of pregnancy.
He spoke of amniocentesis. Dr Bodhankar said that an amniocentesis is test where the doctor collects a small amount of amniotic fluid from the area surrounding the baby. The fluid is then tested to measure the baby’s protein levels, which might indicate certain birth defects. Cells in the amniotic fluid can be tested for chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome, and genetic problems, such as cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs disease.
Dr Bodhankar claimed that the care of the baby in the home surrounding will not be healthy for the baby. He said that the care of the baby is pretty costly and Lata Mangeshkar Hospital is the best place to take care of the baby. The baby required continuous moisterization and monitoring and prevention of infections. Other innate anomalies also need to be monitored and treated. The baby’s stay in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is best. He lauded Unit Head Dr Meenakshi Girish and Head of the Department Dr Nilofer Mujawar’s efforts and said that they are the best in this field and that the baby is in the right hands.
While speaking to Nagpur Today, Dr Yash Banait said that due to some ethical issues the names of the parents are kept confidential. Talking about the reaction of the parents on the birth of the Harlequin baby, he said that the mother has not been told of the birth of this Harlequin baby since she underwent Cesarean operation and was yet to come out of the anesthesia.
However, the father and the grandmother of the baby were informed about the birth of a baby girl with a rare condition. Dr Banait claimed that the father and the grandmother of the baby were very inquisitive and wanted to know everything about the baby and her condition.
Surprisingly, both the father and the grandmother of the baby girl said that “Parmeshwarani Je Pan Dile Amala, Tey Amala Sweekar Ahey” in Marathi (Meaning whatever God Almighty has given is acceptable to us).
*(COMHAD is a long standing partner of WHO in a number of technical areas, in particular mental health, disability prevention, maternal and child health and reproductive health. It is actively involved in promoting health development, exchange of technical expertise and inter-country training and education in health in 53 Commonwealth countries all over the world.)
