Agartala, 28th September 2026 : An 18-day-old infant suffering from the life-threatening condition of intestinal malrotation with midgut volvulus has successfully undergone emergency surgery at Tripura Medical College & Dr BRAM Teaching Hospital, highlighting the importance of timely recognition and treatment of bilious vomiting in newborns.
The infant, Master Ahadul Islam, was born through normal delivery at Makunda Hospital on August 27. He is the second child of 25-year-old Rubina Begum and 31-year-old Bilal Miah of Bagyapur in Dharmanagar. His father works as a mason, while his mother is a homemaker.
After being discharged following birth, the infant developed jaundice about a week later and was taken to a local physician. He was subsequently referred to AGMC for treatment. During treatment, he began suffering from recurrent bilious vomiting, a potentially serious sign of intestinal obstruction in newborns. Suspecting a surgical emergency, he was referred to Tripura Medical College & Dr BRAM Teaching Hospital on September 12.
The infant was admitted to the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), where paediatric and neonatal surgeon Dr Aniruddha Basak took charge of his treatment. Following intravenous fluids, antibiotics, clinical examination and diagnostic investigations, the infant was diagnosed with intestinal malrotation with midgut volvulus.
Midgut volvulus occurs when the intestine twists around its blood vessels due to abnormal intestinal positioning. The resulting interruption of blood supply can cause intestinal ischemia, gangrene, severe infection and, if untreated, death.
An emergency operation was performed on September 14, when Ahadul was 18 days old. Dr Basak and his surgical team carried out the approximately two-hour procedure, carefully untwisting the bowel and correcting its abnormal positioning.
The infant subsequently developed sepsis and required intensive monitoring, specialised care and antibiotics. However, around nine days later, due to family constraints, his parents had to leave the hospital against medical advice (DAMA).
The child was brought back for follow-up on September 25. Nearly a month after his birth, the infant was seen crying in his parents’ arms but otherwise appearing healthy, bringing relief and happiness to the medical team and family.
The case highlights that greenish or bilious vomiting in a newborn should never be dismissed as an ordinary feeding problem. It can indicate intestinal obstruction caused by malrotation and midgut volvulus, requiring urgent medical assessment.
Timely referral, rapid diagnosis, emergency surgery and specialised neonatal care proved crucial in the infant’s fight for survival.
