News

Rare Case of Quadruplet Pregnancy at Father Muller Medical College Hospital

Jan 4, 2025

 In a remarkable andrninspiring story, Mr. Teja and Mrs. Banoth Durga, a couple from Telangana whornhave made Mangalore their home, have been blessed with a rare quadrupletrnpregnancy. Their journey, filled with hope and resilience, was closelyrnmonitored and managed by a dedicated team of medical professionals at FatherrnMuller Medical College Hospital, Mangalore.

*Why Quadruplets ArernSpecial*

Quadruplet pregnanciesrnare exceptionally rare, with natural conceptions leading to quadrupletsrnoccurring in only 1 in 700,000 pregnancies. This makes any quadruplet pregnancyrna rare medical event and one that presents significant challenges for both the motherrnand the medical team. Such pregnancies involve the birth of four babies, oftenrnrequiring complex antenatal management and care, as they come with increasedrnrisks for premature birth, low birth weight, and the need for intensive carernimmediately after delivery. This rare occurrence requires careful pregnancyrncare planning, continuous monitoring, and a multidisciplinary approach tornensure the health and safety of both the mother and the babies.

*The Obstetric Journeyrnof Teja and Durga*

The journey for Mr.rnTeja and Mrs. Banoth Durga began with a pleasant surprise: the diagnosis ofrnquadruplets during a routine ultrasound. Antenatal care was led by Dr. JoylenernD'Almeida, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, ensuring the couple felt supportedrnat each stage. The couple was initially overwhelmed but made the courageousrndecision not to opt for fetal reduction. Despite the risks, they chose to gornahead with the pregnancy, fueled by hope and supported by a compassionaternmedical team.

The fetal medicine andrnsonology team included Dr. Muralidar, Dr. Ram Basti, and Dr. Mahesh. Thernobstetric team, including HOU Dr. Sujaya V Rao and team comprising Dr. Vismaya,rnDr. Ektha, Dr. Diya, and Dr. Nayana, provided the necessary care and guidance throughoutrnthe pregnancy. The operation theatre staff, including Preksha and Reshma,rnworked diligently to ensure that everything went smoothly during the deliveryrnprocess.

*The ChallengingrnElective Cesarean*

At 30 weeks ofrngestation, the couple underwent a challenging elective cesarean section onrnNovember 9th due to the mother’s history of a previous cesarean. Banothrndelivered two beautiful girls and two boys. With the risk of premature birthrnand the possibility of requiring resuscitation for the newborns, extensivernarrangements were made for neonatal resuscitation and the careful coordinationrnbetween the obstetric and pediatric teams.

Dr. Chandana Pai,rnConsultant Pediatrician, led the neonatal resuscitation team, ensuring thatrneach newborn was attended to promptly. The newborns’ weights were on the lowerrnside (1.1 kg, 1.2 kg, 800 g, and 900 g), making neonatal care essential forrntheir survival. Their immediate and effective care in the NICU was critical.

*Neonatal Care in thernNICU*

The care provided inrnthe NICU was nothing short of exceptional. Dr. Praveen B.K and his pediatricrnteam ensured that the quadruplets received the best care possible. Dr. PraveenrnNayak, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and neonatologist, took care of the childrenrnin the NICU with the assistance of the neonatal team of consultants; Dr. Poojarn(Senior Resident), along with postgraduates and nursing staff, contributedrnsignificantly to the the timely interventions, close monitoring, andrnappropriate medical management allowing the babies to grow stronger each day.rnTheir progress was steady and all four babies began thriving under the diligentrncare of the NICU team.

*Significance of ThisrnCase*

The incidence ofrnquadruplet pregnancies in India, especially in states like Karnataka andrndistricts such as Dakshina Kannada (D.K.), is very low. In Asia, multiplernpregnancies are more common in assisted reproductive technology (ART) cases,rnbut natural quadruplet pregnancies remain rare.

In D.K. district andrnMangalore, this case is especially significant because of the rarity of suchrnpregnancies and the successful outcome achieved with the comprehensive andrncollaborative care of multiple departments. The team's holistic approach, whichrninvolved not just obstetrics but also pediatric and neonatal expertise, ensuredrnthe health and safety of both the mother and her four newborns.

This case highlightsrnthe importance of skilled, compassionate care in handling high-risk pregnanciesrnand provides a great example of the dedicated healthcare professionals atrnFather Muller Medical College Hospital. It also brings attention to the significancernof early diagnosis, timely intervention, and meticulous planning in managingrnsuch a rare and challenging pregnancy.

*In Conclusion:* Thernsuccessful delivery of quadruplets at Father Muller Medical College Hospital isrna testament to the expertise of the medical team and the resilience of thernfamily. It brings to light the rare nature of quadruplet pregnancies, thernchallenges involved, and the essential care needed to ensure a positive outcomernand played a crucial role in bringing this beautiful surprise to life.