4 years after kidney, pancreas transplant, woman gives birth at Chandigarh hospital

Saroj Sharma (23), a Type-1 diabetes patient, was on a rollercoaster ride until 2018. She had previously reported pancreas and kidney failure in 2016 and was now a chronic Type-1 diabetic. She survived on dialysis. After doctors transplanted donated pancreas and kidneys to her in 2018, her life changed dramatically.

Although the transplants were successful, Saroj was still under the care of doctors at Chandigarh’s Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research as a precaution.

Saroj approached Dr Ashish Singh, a PGIMER surgeon, who had grafted her kidneys and pancreas.

“Life is easier after organ transplantation that regulates the menstrual cycle. She told me that she had been proposed to by someone in 2020. Dr Ashish Sharma stated that she advised her to share everything with her life partner.

Soon after, Saroj got married to Vikas Sharma in 2020. Saroj initially was skeptical about her pregnancy. She consulted Dr Ashish Sharma again, who, with his entire team, kept in touch even during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Saroj, after two years of marriage, gave birth to a beautiful girl at PGIMER Chandigarh on September 28.

PREGNANCY AT HIGH-RISK

India Today spoke to Dr Seema Chopra, a PGI gynaecologist. She stated that this was a high risk pregnancy because the mother might have rejected the transplanted organs.

“We used a Cesarean method to ensure a safe delivery. Dr Seema Chopra stated that the baby is healthy and weighs 2.5kg.

Dr Sanjay K Bhadada, an endocrinologist at PGI, stated that Saroj was suffering from Type-1 Diabetes since the age of 13. After her kidney failure, her condition became worse in 2016. He claims that the pancreas and kidneys of patients with chronic diabetes stop working after about 8-10 years.

“We closely monitored Saroj’s health after the transplants of the kidney and pancreas,” says Dr Sanjay Bhadada.

Dr Vivek, who works as a Nephrologist at the PGIMER Chandigarh said that healthy pancreas and kidneys play a major role in pregnancy.

He said that “all organs should work normally to bear children as long as the mother experiences physiological stress.”

Senior Medical Officer PGIMER, Dr Vipin Kaushal, said that Saroj Singh got a new lease in life after the transplants. He gave birth in 2022 to another life.

Kidney and pancreas transplantations brought major changes to Saroj’s life. She has a bachelor’s degree and is currently employed at a government hospital in Dehradun.

Vikas Sharma, her husband, gets emotional when asked about his feelings after Saroj gave way to their daughter.

Saroj is grateful for the support she received from her family and the PGIMER team over the past seven years.

Saroj Sharma’s story has won PGIMER a lot of praises. PGIMER has carried out 38 out of 150 pancreas transfers in India. Patients with Type-1 diabetes can also find hope in this story.

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