Abstract

Diagnostic dilemma in reckoning cytomegaloviral infection is prompting increased mortality among abandoned newborns of India

Author(s):Aroni Chatterjee, Lopamudra Mishra, Agniswar Sarkar, Rajendra P Chatterjee, Sabbir Ansari, Mala Bhattacharya and Nilanjan Chakraborty

This article emphasizes on an almost untouched aspect of medical adversity concerning the health ordeal of the abandoned newborns in India. The case described here is that of an abandoned female newborn suffering from neonatal hepatitis, respiratory distress, intravascular coagulation and microcephaly. While treating the infant, the practitioners suffered from diagnostic dilemma in identifying the actual cause to be that of Human cytomegalovirus infection. This delay is mostly due to its non-specific clinical presentation and lack of adequate awareness about the virus amongst the practicing physicians. This article being the first of its kind from India aims to provide effective clinical observations and juxtapose the investigative maneuvers vital for differential diagnosis with early treatment initiation and positive outcomes. We also aim to inflict a sociological impact on the issue of abandoning newborn children which leads to their severe diseased fate and acute sufferings.

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