In a remarkable story of resilience, timely medical intervention, and multidisciplinary care, doctors at Ankura Hospital for Women & Children, Pune, successfully treated a three-year-old child who suffered nearly 60% burn injuries and survived a cardiac arrest. Under the leadership of Dr. Milind M. Jambagi, Head of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Pediatric Emergency Services, along with Dr. Shrikant Pingale, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, the medical team helped the child overcome multiple life-threatening complications and return home safely after more than 40 days of intensive treatment.
A Routine Day Turns Into a Medical Emergency
What began as a normal day for Master Harish (name changed), a three-year-old resident of Thergaon, Pune, quickly turned into a nightmare for his family. On March 28, 2026, while playing at home, the child accidentally fell into a container filled with hot tamarind liquid that his father was preparing for his chaat business.
Within seconds, he sustained severe scald burns across his chest, back, abdomen, face, neck, arms, legs, genital area, and gluteal region. The injuries affected nearly 55–60% of his total body surface area.
His parents immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors provided emergency treatment. However, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he suffered a cardiac arrest during treatment. Recognizing the need for specialized pediatric critical care, doctors urgently referred him to Ankura Hospital for Women & Children, Pune.
Critical Condition on Arrival
When the child arrived at Ankura Hospital, he was in an extremely critical state. The medical team immediately placed him on ventilator support and initiated continuous monitoring, emergency resuscitation, and intensive pediatric critical care management.
The combination of extensive burn injuries, cardiac arrest, fluctuating blood pressure, and respiratory failure presented a significant challenge for the treating team.
Multidisciplinary Team Leads Intensive Recovery Effort
Dr. Milind M. Jambagi, Head of PICU and Pediatric Emergency Services at Ankura Hospital and Chairperson of the Education Committee at the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies, Geneva, explained the complexity of the case.
“The child had sustained severe burns involving nearly 60% of his body and had already suffered a cardiac arrest before being referred to us. Such extensive burn injuries can affect multiple organs and significantly increase the risk of severe infection, shock, breathing difficulties, and long-term disabilities. Our immediate priority was to stabilize him, support vital organ functions, control pain, prevent infections, and initiate advanced wound care,” he said.
The treatment plan included respiratory support, strict infection-control measures, nutritional rehabilitation, repeated burn wound dressings, collagen dressings, debridement procedures, and intensive rehabilitation therapy.
As per the press release, a multidisciplinary team worked round the clock throughout the child’s hospital stay to closely monitor his condition and address every aspect of his recovery.
Managing Life-Threatening Complications
Dr. Jambagi further highlighted that severe burn injuries require comprehensive treatment beyond wound management.
“Major burns can trigger widespread inflammation and leave children vulnerable to multi-organ failure, sometimes requiring advanced interventions such as dialysis. Therefore, adequate nutrition, respiratory support, meticulous wound care, and rehabilitation play equally important roles in recovery,” he said.
Despite developing shock and respiratory failure following the cardiac arrest, the child responded positively to treatment. Over time, he showed steady improvement and gradually regained strength.
After more than 40 days of intensive and protocol-driven care, his wounds healed significantly. He was able to breathe independently, tolerate feeds adequately, and continue his recovery without major setbacks.
Zero Infections Throughout Hospital Stay
Dr. Shrikant Pingale, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, emphasized another significant achievement during the treatment journey.
“The most commendable aspect of this case was that the child did not develop any infection throughout his hospital stay. We achieved this through regular wound care, specialized dressings, and highly protocolized care in the PICU,” he said.
Doctors discharged the child in stable condition on May 11, 2026. He continues to attend follow-up outpatient consultations for rehabilitation and recovery and is currently off all medications.
Importance of Early Intervention and Specialized Care
Highlighting the broader message from the case, Dr. Jambagi said, “Severe burn injuries in children can be devastating for both patients and their families. This case demonstrates the importance of early first aid, timely referral to specialized pediatric critical care centers, strict infection control, nutritional support, and coordinated multidisciplinary management.”
He added that Ankura Hospital remains committed to delivering advanced pediatric emergency and critical care services to improve outcomes, even in the most challenging cases.
Parents Express Gratitude
The child’s parents described the experience as the most difficult period of their lives.
“Seeing our child in that condition was the most painful experience we have ever faced. There were moments when we feared we would lose him. Every day felt uncertain, especially after learning about the cardiac arrest and the severity of his burns. The doctors, nurses, and support staff at Ankura Hospital stood by us through every difficult moment,” they said.
“We are also grateful to everyone who supported us anonymously during this journey. Watching our son recover, start eating again, and smile once more felt nothing short of a miracle. We will always remain thankful to the Ankura Hospital team for giving our child a second chance at life.”