A one-year-old girl from Kozhikode district was found to have a needle lodged near her right ribs, prompting her parents to allege that it may have been left inside her body during treatment at Kottayam Medical College Hospital.

The needle was detected during a detailed examination at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital in July 2026 and was subsequently removed through surgery, according to the family.

Parents raise questions over NICU treatment

The child, daughter of Anju and Vineesh, was born at Kottayam Medical College Hospital in June 2025. She was shifted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after developing jaundice, her mother said.

After the child was discharged, the parents noticed swelling near her right ribs and consulted doctors. According to Anju, they were told that it was a minor growth that would subside with treatment.

However, the child continued to experience pain and frequently cried. In July this year, she developed severe pain in the same area, with swelling appearing again.

The family then took her to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, where scans reportedly revealed the needle lodged near her ribs.

Needle removed through surgery

Doctors at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital surgically removed the needle. Anju said they were told that it appeared to have remained inside the child’s body for a considerable period.

The parents said the child had not undergone any other surgery or been admitted to another hospital for a prolonged period during the intervening year. They therefore suspect that the needle could have been left behind during her treatment in the Kottayam Medical College Hospital NICU.

Anju also said she had noticed what appeared to be a pointed object near the child in photographs taken around the time of her NICU admission.

Hospital begins inquiry into allegations

The family has lodged a complaint with the Superintendent of Kottayam Medical College Hospital and plans to approach State Health Minister K Muraleedharan, seeking action over the alleged medical negligence.

Following the complaint, hospital authorities have initiated an inquiry. The superintendent has assigned a deputy superintendent to examine who was on duty during the relevant period and establish what happened while the child was undergoing treatment in the NICU.

Hospital authorities said the allegation would be investigated seriously and that the facts would be established through a detailed inquiry