Dr. Swathi Rao

Dr Swathi Rao is a consultant paediatric intensivist in Mangaluru with over 12 years of experience in paediatrics and specialised paediatric critical care, currently practising at Manipal Hospital, Attavar, Mangaluru.

She holds an IDPCCM Fellowship in Paediatric Critical Care from St John's Medical College, Bangalore, and currently serves as President of IAP Dakshina Kannada, with 30 published research papers, textbook chapter contributions, and active training of healthcare professionals in PALS and point-of-care ultrasound.

She consults in English, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tulu, and Konkani.

Area of Expertise

Paediatric Critical Care and PICU Management

Dr Swathi Rao manages critically ill children in the paediatric intensive care unit with advanced monitoring, organ support, and evidence-based critical care protocols:

• Sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome management
• Septic shock resuscitation and haemodynamic stabilisation
• PICU care for complex and life-threatening conditions
• Point-of-care ultrasound in paediatric critical care
• Functional echocardiography in critically ill children

Acute Respiratory Failure and ARDS

Patients with severe respiratory distress and acute lung injury are managed with advanced ventilatory support strategies:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome management
• High-frequency ventilation in paediatric patients
• Acute severe asthma management in children
• Invasive and non-invasive ventilation
• Mechanical ventilation weaning and extubation

Neurological Emergencies in Children

Dr Swathi Rao manages children with acute neurological deterioration and refractory seizures with structured intensive care interventions:

• Refractory status epilepticus management
• Meningoencephalitis assessment and treatment
• Raised intracranial pressure monitoring and management
• Neurological emergency stabilisation in children
• Post-neurosurgical paediatric ICU care

Acute Kidney Injury and Renal Replacement Therapy

Children with acute kidney injury requiring renal support are managed with appropriate dialysis-based interventions in the PICU:

• Acute kidney injury evaluation and management in children
• Renal replacement therapy initiation and monitoring
• Fluid overload management in critically ill children
• Electrolyte and metabolic disturbance correction
• Post-renal transplant paediatric monitoring

Haematological Emergencies

Children with acute haematological conditions requiring intensive care are assessed and managed with appropriate blood product and supportive therapy:

• Haematological emergency assessment and stabilisation
• Severe anaemia and coagulopathy management
• Oncology-related haematological emergency care
• Thrombocytopenia and bleeding disorder management
• Blood product transfusion therapy in critical care

Post-Operative Paediatric Care

Children recovering from major surgical procedures are managed in the PICU with structured post-operative monitoring and organ support:

• Post-operative paediatric surgery PICU care
• Post-cardiac surgery paediatric management
• Post-neurosurgery ICU monitoring in children
• Post-orthopaedic surgery paediatric critical care
• Surgical complication identification and management

Credentials and Qualifications

• MBBS
• DNB Paediatrics
• IDPCCM Fellowship in Paediatric Critical Care, St John's Medical College, Bangalore
• Qualified Teacher in Paediatric Critical Care, Indian Academy of Paediatrics Intensive Care Chapter
• Certified PALS Trainer, conducting national and international workshops

Hospital Affiliations

Current Affiliations

• Manipal Hospital, Attavar, Mangaluru

Previous Associations

• KS Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte University
• Justice KS Hegde Charitable Hospital

Awards and Academic Contributions

• First Prize, Poster Presentation, International Conference of Paediatric Critical Care
• Second Prize, Quiz Competition, International Conference of Paediatric Critical Care
• Secretary, Paediatric Intensive Care Chapter, Karnataka, 2022
• Secretary, Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Dakshina Kannada Branch, 2023 and 2024
• President, Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Dakshina Kannada
• 30 research papers published in national and international journals
• Contributed chapters to paediatric speciality textbooks
• National and international workshop faculty for ventilation and point-of-care ultrasound

Book an Appointment with Dr Swathi Rao, Paediatric Intensivist in Mangaluru

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