2-year old treated for Rare Genetic Kid ney Condition at Prashanth Hospitals
~The toddler was brought to the hospiti tal in a state of compensated shock and extreme lethargy, with plummeting he moglobin levels and acute kidney failure ~
~Doctors at Prashanth Hospitals diagn osed and treated the child for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) D eficiency—a genetic disorder rarely se en in such severe form in this region~
Chennai, 9th June, 2025: In a remarka ble demonstration of medical teamwork and advanced pediatric care, doctors at Prashanth Hospital — one of Chennai’s leading multi-specialty healthcare pro viders — successfully saved a 2-year-old child from a life-threatening health crisis. The boy, admitted with severe dehydration, hematuria (blood in urine), dangerously low hemoglobin, and acute kidney failure, was later diagnosed with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency—a genetic disorder rarely seen in such severe form in this region.
The child arrived at the Emergency Department in compensated shock and extreme lethargy, with hemoglobin levels plummeting to 3.7 g/dL and metabolic acidosis (pH 6.8). Emergency physicians acted swiftly, stabilizing the child before transferring him to the pediatric ICU. Over the next two weeks, the child underwent mechanical ventilation, inotropic support, peritoneal dialysis, and later continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and hemodialysis, under close supervision from pediatric nephrology, hematology, and critical care teams.
Dr. T. Vijayakumar, Head of Dept, Pediatrics, Prashanth Hospitals stated; “Pediatric emergencies often give us little time to act, but this case was exceptionally complex—not just medically, but genetically and metabolically. G6PD deficiency, when undiagnosed, can manifest unpredictably, and in this instance, the cascade of hemolysis, shock, and renal failure was both swift and unforgiving. This was not just about saving a life—it was about navigating an uncharted crisis with precision and urgency.”
Once stabilized, the child was weaned off the ventilator by Day 8, transitioned to ward care, and discharged in a stable condition with improved hemoglobin (10.7 g/dL), normal urine output, and no long-term renal damage.
“What made this case even more challenging was the speed at which the child’s condition deteriorated.” stated Dr. U. Vijayakumar, Head of Dept, PICU at Prashanth Hospitals “In many settings without specialized pediatric dialysis and critical care, survival outcomes would have been grim. It was the seamless coordination between emergency care, PICU, nephrology, hematology, and laboratory services that allowed us to intervene at the right moment. The timely escalation from peritoneal dialysis to CRRT, and finally hemodialysis, was crucial in reversing the damage.”
“This case highlights the true power of collaborative, high-acuity care in a tertiary setting,” said Dr. Prashanth, Director of Prashanth Hospitals. “CRRT is a specialized form of dialysis typically reserved for critically ill patients, and it is rarely used in young children due to the complexity involved. We are one of the few centers equipped to offer this in pediatric care. The successful use of CRRT in this case, along with the early identification and management of a rare condition like G6PD deficiency, truly reflects the strength of our medical capabilities. I commend our teams for their expertise, swift decision-making, and compassionate care that led to the child’s full recovery.”
The child’s parents expressed their deep gratitude to the medical team, describing the experience as an incredibly difficult and emotional journey. They acknowledged the timely interventions, clear communication, and compassionate care that played a crucial role in their son’s recovery. The family has been counselled extensively on managing G6PD Deficiency and avoiding trigger foods and medicines. Follow-up includes genetic screening and regular check-ups.
This case serves not only as a medical triumph but also as a critical reminder to parents and healthcare providers to consider G6PD Deficiency in differential diagnosis when faced with sudden-onset hemolytic anemia or unexplained acute kidney injury in young children. With timely, coordinated care, even the most severe and complex cases can have positive outcomes, offering hope and reassurance to families facing similar challenges.
About Prashanth Hospitals: Prashanth Hospitals is a multidisciplinary hospital that provides sophisticated and dedicated healthcare services by professionally trained experts. Prashanth Super-specialty Hospital at Velachery and Kolathur is one of the best- and well-known multi- specialty hospitals in Chennai. These facilities have well trained and skilled nursing staff who can take good care of the patients. The vision is to become an internationally renowned medical institute by providing excellent health care services to the patients, and the mission is to maintain the trust of the patient by providing good quality of health care. The values on which Prashanth Super-specialty Hospitals function are quality of care, respect, competence, the effectiveness of the treatment, safety, and creating health awareness among the people. Prashanth Super- specialty Hospitals also provides various health care packages for check-ups and diagnosis of any ailment and their treatments.
