1-Year-Old Boy Bitten by Venomous Cobra saved at Fortis Escorts Faridabad

1-Year-Old Boy Bitten by Venomous Cobra saved at Fortis Escorts Faridabad

-Family brought the alive snake to the hospital in a jar enabling swift identification and life-saving treatment-

Faridabad, 31st July 2025: In a rare and life-threatening emergency, Doctors at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, saved the life of a one-year-old boy after he was bitten by a highly venomous cobra - a snake capable of causing death within 30 minutes if not treated promptly. The child was brought to the hospital in a semi-conscious state with difficulty in breathing, severe swelling, and bluish discoloration of the right lower leg.

The multi-disciplinary team of doctors led by Dr Amit Gupta, Director, Paediatrics, Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad, Dr Krishan Kumar, Head of Emergency, Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad and Dr Mohsin Khan, Senior Consultant, GI, Minimal Access and Bariatric Surgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad quickly administered the anti-snake venom, provided breathing support through a ventilator, and cleaned the wound to remove damaged tissues caused by the bite. The child was discharged in a stable condition after eight days.

The incident took place at the child's home and the family immediately rushed him to the emergency Department at   Fortis Escorts Faridabad. In a rare and crucial move, they also brought the alive snake with them in a jar, which helped the doctors immediately identify it as a cobra snake and begin the right treatment without delay. 

Upon admission at   Fortis Escorts Faridabad, the child was in a critical and rapidly deteriorating condition - semi-conscious, frothing from the mouth, and experiencing severe respiratory distress. The emergency team acted swiftly, administering life-saving anti-snake venom and placed the child on ventilator to support his breathing. The bite area was infected, and the skin around it was badly damaged as it had the maximum impact of snake poison. The surgical team cleaned the wound and removed the affected tissues to stop the infection from spreading. Due to the family’s quick action and the timely treatment by the doctors, the child’s life was saved.

Giving details of the case, Dr Amit Gupta, Director, Paediatrics, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad said, “This was an extremely critical case, especially because of the child’s young age and the nature of the venom. Cobra venom is highly dangerous as it affects the nervous system and can cause complete paralysis, including respiratory failure. Children are more vulnerable to snakebites, and immediate medical treatment is crucial. If not treated on time, this could a lead to respiratory failure and even death. The timely administration of the anti-venom and breathing support helped stabilize the child. We are relieved that he made a wonderful recovery.”

Dr. Krishan Kumar, Head of Emergency, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad said, “When the child arrived at the emergency unit, he was barely conscious and struggling to breathe. It was a race against time to stabilize him. The family’s decision to bring the alive snake with them was crucial as it allowed us to quickly identify the species as a cobra and begin the right treatment without any delay. Every second was crucial  in preventing further complications, and our team worked together efficiently to provide the necessary care. Thanks to the quick identification and immediate intervention which helped us to save the child’s life.”

Dr Mohsin Khan, Senior Consultant, GI, Minimal Access and Bariatric Surgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad said, “The area around the bite was infected and there were signs of tissue damage (tissue destruction and swelling). To stop the infection from spreading further, we cleaned the wound and removed the affected tissue. It was a delicate situation, but coordinated efforts across departments ensured the best possible outcome.”

Dr. Yogendra Nath Awadhiya, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, said, “This was a highly critical and delicate case, given the young age of the child and the severity of the cobra bite. The multidisciplinary team of doctors comprising of Dr Amit Gupta, Dr Krishan Kumar, and Dr Mohsin Khan managed the case with great precision and care. Such emergencies require prompt diagnosis and well-coordinated treatment, and Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad is fully equipped to handle these challenging situations successfully.”