Dr. Suchetha S Rao

An affluent 15-year-old boy with complex congenital heart disease was referred to Dr. Rao for preoperative pediatric clearance. She discovered undiagnosed Eisenmenger's syndrome during evaluation, drastically changing the surgical approach. Her meticulous assessment prevented a potentially fatal operation, and she helped transition his care to adult congenital specialists.

A 3-year-old from an urban slum presented with severe malnutrition and recurrent infections. Dr. Rao identified congenital HIV transmitted from the mother who was unaware of her status. She initiated antiretroviral therapy, coordinated nutritional support through NGOs, and provided family counseling. The child showed remarkable improvement in growth parameters within 3 months.

A 12-year-old chess prodigy developed psychogenic non-epileptic seizures during national championships. Dr. Rao employed a multidisciplinary approach involving play therapy and family counseling instead of anticonvulsants. She helped the family understand performance pressure and the child returned to competition seizure-free after 8 weeks.

A 5-year-old from a migrant worker family presented with lead poisoning from traditional cosmetics. Dr. Rao identified the unusual source, coordinated chelation therapy, and worked with public health authorities to screen other children in the community. The child's neurodevelopmental delays showed significant improvement after 4 months.

A 7-year-old girl from a remote fishing village presented with persistent fever and joint pain. Dr. Rao diagnosed rheumatic fever, a condition rarely seen in urban areas. She coordinated with local health workers to ensure the child received monthly penicillin injections and educated the family about preventing recurrent infections. The child made a full recovery after 6 months of treatment.