Rainbow Hospital's ECMO air rescue saves Guwahati boy

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Rainbow Children’s Hospital has successfully treated an eight-year-old boy from Guwahati who survived severe Influenza B pneumonia after spending 36 days on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) support, marking one of India’s longest pediatric ECMO cases involving air transport.

The child’s condition worsened despite nearly a week on ventilator support at a hospital in Guwahati. In response, Rainbow’s specialized ECMO Retrieval Team, led by Dr. Kapil B. Sachane, travelled from Hyderabad and initiated Venovenous ECMO support at the referring hospital. After stabilizing the boy, the team transported him nearly 1,800 km to Hyderabad for advanced treatment.

According to the hospital, the retrieval was the first reported pediatric ECMO transfer from North East India and among the longest pediatric ECMO air retrievals in the country. The child remained on ECMO support for more than five weeks and required intensive multidisciplinary care throughout his treatment.

His recovery was further complicated by a serious infection, but doctors successfully managed the condition and eventually weaned him off ECMO after 36 days. The boy has now recovered, is clinically stable and is ready to return home.

Rainbow Children’s Hospital said its Pediatric ECMO Retrieval Programme enables critically ill children in remote regions to access advanced life-support services. Dr. Farhan A.R. Shaikh, Head of Pediatric Intensive Care, said the hospital has successfully conducted 42 pediatric and newborn ECMO procedures with outcomes comparable to leading global centres.