Docs say she’s stable, positive; platelets dip

Psychiatrists meet gangrape victim; doctors worried about blood infection.

The 23-year-old paramedic student, who was gangraped on Sunday, was interviewed by psychiatrists for the first time after the incident.

They said she was "brave and extraordinarily stable psychologically, with a positive approach towards the future".

As the woman continues to battle for life in Safdarjung Hospital, doctors noted a further drop in liver function and a sharp dip in platelet count, indicating the beginning of sepsis (infection).

Dr BD Athani, medical superintendent of Safdarjung hospital, said, "She is breathing fine without the ventilator. She is alert and able to communicate much better, so we got a team of psychiatrists to evaluate her. But some of her vitals have shown a drop, though her white blood cell count has increased."

The woman also asked for water and apple juice. Psychiatrists who met her said she "did not show symptoms of psychological trauma".

Dr Kuldeep Kumar, one of the psychiatrists, said, "She is composed, and appeared dignified and sensitive. Considering what she has been through, she is extraordinarily stable."

A doctor said: "Unlike many rape victims, she does not have violent, vindictive or self-depreciating thoughts."

A psychiatrist who met her said: "She told us about her plans to be a physiotherapist, and interviews for an internship. She asked us if her mother was eating well."

Doctors said since the girl had recorded a formal statement before the magistrate on Friday, they were avoiding any recall of the incident.

Speaking about her physical condition, head of the critical care unit, Dr PK Verma said her bilirubin levels, which were 5.1 mg/dL on Friday, rose to 5.9 mg/dL. This indicates a further drop in her liver function.

"Her platelet count, which had shown some improvement on Friday, dropped further to 20,000 uL of blood, despite transfusion of four units of platelet rich plasma.

... contd.

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