Two month old baby reached ventilator after drinking cow’s milk, doctors saved his life

Thane: A two-month-old baby had to be put on a ventilator in the PICU after he developed serious infection and acidosis due to being fed cow’s milk. Doctors at Wockhardt Hospital on Mira Road said that he was saved after about four weeks of treatment.

Two-month-old Ansh Raut was rushed to the hospital in late April in critical condition due to difficulty breathing, where he was put on a ventilator in the pediatric ICU. He also had to undergo dialysis. Dr Ankit Gupta, pediatrician at Wockhardt Hospital, said the child was in a critical condition and was having difficulty breathing as the oxygen level dropped to just 80.

The team found that since the mother was not breastfeeding adequately, she gave cow’s milk to the child, due to which the child fell ill. Dr. Gupta said, “This is a rare condition. Cow or buffalo milk is not recommended for small infants as their digestive system finds it difficult to digest it, leading to the growth of bacteria that produce ammonia and excessive acidity in the body fluids.”

The child’s pH level came down to 6.9, which is below the normal limit of 7.4 and although he was given medicines, it failed to reduce the high acid levels in the body. Dr. Gupta explained, “Her toxic metabolic ammonia levels went over 700. This much ammonia can have harmful effects on the brain. He required dialysis for a week. Methemoglobin level increased significantly from normal 1 to 30. Its possible harmful effects include difficulty in breathing, seizures, abnormalities in heartbeat.
After about a month-long treatment, the child was discharged in May and his condition was monitored for the next few months. Dr. Gupta said that during this period, the child’s development remained age-appropriate and he started eating regularly. The doctor warned, “The child is fine now, but not getting prompt treatment could lead to complications such as brain damage or even death.”

Dr. Gupta further advised, “Mother’s milk is a divine gift and it is always recommended to exclusively breastfeed babies for the first six months. If mothers are facing any difficulties, they should seek medical help for the same. Now, the mother has also started breastfeeding adequately and the baby is taking breastfeeding and other diets as per the advice of the doctors.