The paediatric cardiac team at the new Apollo Children's Hospital successfully performed a complicated surgery to treat a condition called complete a-v canal defect in a four-month-old Nigerian baby.

Speaking at the press briefing alongside the patient, Dr Neville Solomon, paediatric cardiac surgeon and Dr Muthukumaran, paediatric cardiologist said, "The Nigerian baby was ailing with a condition called complete a-v canal defect. This consists of two holes in the heart with mitral and tricuspid valves possibly leaky as well. The child also has Down's syndrome, which makes the surgery even more risky. The child was investigated by 2D echo, 3D echo and catheterization and angiogram. The surgery involved closing of the holes in the heart and repairing the mitral and tricuspid valves."

The preoperative 3D echo was done by Dr Muthukumaran, who is among the few cardiologists in the country trained to perform this investigative procedure. This 3D transesophageal echo at Apollo is the first of its type in Tamil Nadu. Dr Neville Solomon added, "It is gratifying that the baby was brought in for surgery by the fourth month as usually beyond six months, the results are not as good. It is gratifying that the baby is doing well and will be returning home tomorrow. We have been treating numerous international patients at the hospital."

Apollo Children's Hospital, exclusively for children and adolescents upto the age of 16 years, is a one of its kind comprehensive paediatric hospital in the country. A tertiary care multi-speciality hospital, the Apollo Children's Hospital will administer health care for children from birth to adolescence under one roof. All of the services will be delivered in a child friendly focused environment. The services are designed to meet the physical, social, emotional and psychological needs of every child with well-trained paediatricians of great clinical experience and knowledge.

Addressing the gathered media, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, "This 80- bedded Apollo Children's Hospital is emblematic of the change we wanted to see in child healthcare, and an extension of our long and successful foray in quality paediatrics. Every little life represents immense potential and the onus is on us to nurture it."

Situated in the close vicinity of flagship Apollo Hospitals at Greams Road, The Apollo Children's Hospital is one of the finest in the country. Complete with an NICU, Isolation ward, three operation theatres, sunshine ward, cheerful private rooms and tasteful suites, the new hospital leaves no stone unturned in providing the best paediatric care.

Preetha Reddy added, "True to the Apollo way, we have not stopped with the best of technology and expertise. A lot of thought has gone into making the process of healing as child-friendly as possible. The ambience, the mood, the culture have all been shaped around the young patient. I hope PAWS, the latest member of the Apollo family, will steal the day. PAWS, our mascot at the Apollo Children's Hospital, is a teddy bear that will be there to welcome the young patients, and spread the cheer during their stay at the hospital."

The cardiology team consisting of Paediatric Interventional Cardiologist and the Cardio Thoracic Surgeon are available to tackle highly complicated congenital anomalies and the Paediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit looks after these cases pre and post operatively. The department of Paediatric Surgery and Paediatric Urology carries out various procedures on children and neonates including laparoscopic surgery. The other super specialties are Paediatric Neurology-Neuro Surgery Nephrology and Gastroenterology, which are well covered by expert consultants for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

The department of Haemato Oncology gives a new lease of life to the hitherto fatal disease like A -plastic anaemia, Leukaemia and Storage disorders etc., Bone marrow transplants have been done on many children with excellent results. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with expert neonatologists take care of premature babies with very low birth weight with good out come comparable to international standards.

Equipped for every paediatric emergency, Apollo Children's Hospital is geared to care for acute problems and emergencies promptly and efficiently in the 'golden hours' for all the emergencies. The emergency and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) will be complementary to each other will sole aim to save the precious lives and is functional 24X7. The transport unit consisting of attained registrar level paediatrician, well-trained nurses and paramedical staff are ready to rush to the site of emergencies to pick up the sick babies at Airport, home or even from any other hospitals. They will assess the sick child, stabilize the child and transport the child to our children's hospital. The doctors, nurses and paramedical staff are well trained in the pre hospital care of these patients. For the sick newborn state of the art Transport Incubators are available for their safety. The PICU is unique as it is headed by the senior consultants well trained in delivery of intensive care.