Medical experts have called for a detailed health evaluation of the 12-year-old rape victim, who is in an advanced state of pregnancy.
The continuation of the pregnancy and its termination would be equally risky for the victim. Only a health assessment by a medical team can help choose what is ideal for the victim, said experts.
Medical experts contacted by The Hindu also expressed concern over the legal issues involved in the case, as she had entered the 22nd week of pregnancy. Generally, pregnancy up to 20 weeks are legally permitted to be terminated, they said.
The Hindu had on Saturday reported the plight of the victim who was raped by her brother.
Responding to the news, S. Shaila, professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government Medical College, Alappuzha, said the teenage pregnancy could pose serious health risks to the girl.
There are chances of anaemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Generally in such cases, the girl could develop eclampsia, (a condition where high blood pressure causes seizure during pregnancy), intrauterine growth restriction, (the condition of unborn baby being smaller in size than it should be) and urinary tract infection, explained Dr. Shaila.
Normal delivery less likely
The possibility of normal delivery was less in this case as the girl would not have sufficient bone growth and pelvic space. The probability of the girl encountering intrauterine, in-labour, and post-partum complications and post-partum psychosis was high. Neonatal death could also happen, she said.
C. Nirmala, professor and head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, said the girl could encounter serious health risks in following both the options of pregnancy and its termination. Only a detailed examination of the girl by a medical panel was advisable for choosing the less risky route. A judicial intervention was also necessary as the girl was in an advanced state of pregnancy, Dr. Nirmala said.
A. Santhoshkumar, Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Medical Superintend of the Sree Avittom Tirunal Hospital of Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, said the baby of the girl was vulnerable to genetic disorders as she was impregnated by her brother.
The baby could get genetic disorders if it inherited the troublesome genes. It could also suffer from weight loss, low glucose level, and bleeding from head if born pre-term, Dr. Santhoshkumar said.
The girl was susceptible to pre-term delivery. She should also be screened for sexually transmitted disease, including AIDS, he suggested.
