It’s the third day, and two-month-old baby Neha Afreen is still battling for life, connected to a life support system in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Vani Vilas Hospital. Her father Umar Farooq, an automobile mechanic, had allegedly tried to kill her because she is a girl.
Dr Some Gowda, Medical Superintendent, Vani Vilas Hospital says: “Neha’s condition is still critical. Her pulse, blood pressure and respiratory condition are stable. Convulsions happened at around 11.00 am and another one at 4.30 pm. She is still on ventilator support.”
Meanwhile, ophthalmologists from Minto Eye Hospital have examined Neha’s injured eye and say there could be slight bleeding in her retina.
“A specialist from NIMHANS who examined her said that the haemorrhage has increased. However, medical treatment is better than the surgical treatment. We are well equipped to handle the case and if any interventions are required we will shift her to NIMHANS,” said Dr Gowda.
On Tuesday morning, Dr O.S. Siddappa, Dean and Director, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, said: “Baby Neha is still getting convulsions, which are still not under control. This shows the problem persists. We are giving standard medical attention.”
Dr R. Premlatha, in charge of the paediatric ICU who is supervising Neha’s case, gives an update on the girl baby’s condition
* How was Neha’s condition when she was brought to the hospital?
Neha was struggling to breathe and was under severe convulsion and fits (a medical condition where body muscles contract and relax rapidly and repeatedly, resulting in an uncontrolled shaking of the body) when she was referred to our hospital from Bowring Hospital late on Saturday. She has sustained bruises all over her legs, buttocks and forehead. We immediately put her in the ICU.
* How severe is her condition?
She is still unconscious and under life support system. We sent her for a CT scan to NIMHANS and the report reveals that she has sustained brain haemorrhage and there is internal bleeding in her brain and a slight swelling in her brain as well, and this has led to further worsening of her condition. As of now, we cannot say anything; we are providing her the best of medication possible.
* What could be the exact cause of Neha’s brain haemorrhage?
Baby Neha might have been thrown and banged. This has led to severe internal injury in her brain. This was not a result of one day. The bruises she has sustained all over her body reveal that some of the injuries were done a few days ago and some of them some weeks ago.
* Apart from this, what other ailments is she suffering from?
Over a period of time her blood pressure has gone down. Meanwhile, late last night there were symptoms of bleeding in her stomach as well, so immediately blood and plasma transfusion was done.
* What medication is being administered? Does she require any kind of surgery?
She is under anti-convulsion medication. In order to control her blood pressure and prevent any form of cardiac contraction we are giving dopamine and dobutamine.
As per the opinion of the neurologist, baby Neha does not require any surgery.
* What are the chances of Neha’s survival?
Till the time she regains consciousness we cannot say anything. It might take a day or two or even one week or two weeks.
She is on IV fluids. Once she is conscious and a little stable, we will provide mother’s milk through naso-gastric tube. Three doctors along with four supervising doctors during the day time and three doctors along with one intern during the night are taking care of the ICU unit where Neha is admitted.
We are just hoping that her condition improves.
Panel summons Reshma’s in-laws
Speaking to the media, Meena Jain, Chairperson, Karnataka Child Welfare Commission said: “We have recorded Reshma’s (Neha’s mother) statement. We have provided Justice Angadi to take up the case.
“We have also summoned Reshma’s in-laws, especially her mother-in-law, to appear before us on Friday. We also need to find out where Umar Farooq’s first wife is to find out whether she was equally tortured. In addition, we will also provide a report to the police and the court to take the case forward.”
Farooq charges: Attempt to murder, dowry harassment
Umar Farooq, Neha Afreen’s father, who attempted to kill the baby, has been charged with attempt to murder, dowry harassment, and harassment under the Juvenile Justice Act. On April 8, he was arrested by K.G. Halli Police at Ambedkar Medical College Road.
He was produced before the 11th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Monday. He has been remanded to judicial custody till April 23. Farooq has been denied bail as he is said to be an influential person in the locality. There are chances that he might threaten and tamper with the witness.
Reshma Banu and two of her relatives are witnesses in the case, police added.