Coimbatore: A 20-day-old infant died of respiratory obstruction while breastfeeding. The case, which took place in the Ramanathapuram area, has raised horrific risk of accidental aspiration in newborns, causing grief and mourning in a family that was only weeks away from celebrating the arrival of a newborn.
A Short-lived Joy
The father, Murali, a daily wage laborer from Ramanathapuram, and his wife, Varadalakshmi, had been married for a little over a year and a half. The couple could not have told their joy, when Varadalakshmi gave birth to a healthy baby girl on December 20 at the Coimbatore Government Hospital. Following a typical postnatal stay, the mother and child exited and went home to begin their new life as a family.
The Fatal Turn of Events
The baby had been having minor health problems, including stomach pain, for the last several days, according to family members and police authorities. On the day of the horror the baby looked restless and was crying uncontrollably. Worried about the baby’s agitation, Murali and Varadalakshmi took her to a private clinic near the hospital. After a short check-up and doctor treatment, the baby cried on. Varadalakshmi started breastfeeding the baby to soothe and comfort her.
The tragedy was during the feeding session. She says the baby experienced a sudden coughing while swallowing the milk. Within seconds, the milk passed into the windpipe (aspiration), causing instantaneous breathlessness. The mother was horrified to discover the infant suddenly in her arms, motionless and unresponsive.
Desperate Measures and Final Moments
The parents then called the doctors at the private clinic, who in an instant evaluated the situation and directed them to hasten the child to the Coimbatore Government Hospital for emergency hospitalization. When doctors arrived at the government facility, they had to give the grimmest news: the baby had been brought dead. Medical examinations indicate that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to milk obstructing the respiratory system in the course of a coughing fit.
Investigation by Police and Medical after Death
A case related to the unnatural death has been filed by the Coimbatore police and a line of inquiry has now been initiated. The infant’s body was transferred to the mortuary to undergo a post-mortem examination to verify the precise physiological cause of death.
Medical professionals frequently caution that “aspiration pneumonia” or sudden choking during meals can happen if a baby is improperly positioned or if they have a lingering reflux problem. This tragic event is a tragic lesson about how vulnerable newborns are it shows the enormity of grief that an accident can bring about. The whole village has taken steps to support Murali and Varadalakshmi as they cope with the loss of their firstborn.
