- The ability to predict now (at 20 weeks of pregnancy) how Baby Girl will do once she's born is very poor. There are some studies with indicators and ratios and markers, but the bottom line is until she starts trying to breathe air and we can see how she does with that, we will not know exactly where we fall on the very wide spectrum of CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia).
- The problem with her condition is not so much the mechanical, physical issue of the diaphragm hole and the misplaced organs (although that will certainly have to be addressed). The problem is pulmonary hypertension (blood pressure in lungs). We are praying that her pulmonary hypertension after birth is not severe and that she will be able to receive the treatments that are available to her and respond favorably to them.
- Doctors' thinking about CDH has changed in the last 15 years. It is now not so much about fixing the hole immediately as it is about stabilizing the baby, seeing how she responds to treatments for pulmonary hypertension and then repairing the hernia.
- A "last resort" treatments for infants with pulmonary hypertension is ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). Brenner's is one of the few places in the state that does ECMO so they see a lot (relatively) of CDH cases, approximately ten a year. His rough estimate of the CDH cases at Brenner's is that about 3-4 of those 10 go on ECMO and about half of those babies will survive. Therefore, Brenner's overall survival rate for CDH is around 70-80% (these are rough estimates, not necessarily statistically accurate numbers.) The national survival rate for CDH is between 50-65%.
- The range of stay in the NICU (or PICU if ECMO is required) is anywhere from one month to seven or eight months.
- The surgery is done one of two ways. If there is enough diaphragmatic muscle, they will try to close the hole by stitching muscle to muscle. If not, they will "patch" the hole which may require additional surgery down the road as the baby (and her diaphragm) grows. The incision is below her ribs. They hope to be able to do the surgery within a week after she is born, although that may be a little longer if she ends up having to go on ECMO.
- We looked at the MRI films again. The surgeon said that her right lung looked "normal". While the radiologist noted that there was no left lung present, Dr. Petty also said that he thought there probably was a little bit on the left side as well. While this is certainly good news (and we will continue to pray that she is able to develop as much healthy lung tissue as possible), he also said that the size of the lung was not necessarily an indicator of how successful the baby would be. The greatest indicator is the pulmonary hypertension (which we won't know the details of until she is born and begins breathing air.)
November 9, 2010
The Surgeon's Report
Yesterday we met with Dr. John Petty, one of the three pediatric surgeons at Brenner Children's Hopsital (Baptist Hopital) where Baby Girl Hardy will be transferred after delivery and stabilization. First of all, let me say how wonderful all the doctors that we have worked with are. We have been truly impressed by not only the professionalism and knowledge of these doctors, but their overwhelming care and concern for us as people and as parents. We are so very very grateful that we live where we do and that we are receiving and will continue to receive such a high standard of care. Dr. Petty, much like Dr. O'Shea on Friday, spent over an hour talking with us about Baby Girl's condition and explaining to us the things that we can expect after she's born. Much of what he said we had heard before, but it was great to hear it confirmed by another doctor. We feel like we are being so well prepared for the struggles and trials that we will all face together as a family once she joins us. Here are some bullet points from our conversation with him. We share these specifics so that you can better understand where we are, but also so that you will know ways to pray specifically for Baby Girl's health in the months ahead.
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Prayers will continue to flow for your family, Chrissy!
ReplyDeleteChrissy, it does indeed sound like the doctors have given you the information you need to know what to expect. I love seeing pictures of the nursery! The colors are beautiful. Prayers are ongoing.
ReplyDeleteThat was from me! Didn't select anonymous...oh, well.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Dear Chrissy and Robert, I just found out about "Baby Girl's" d-hernia. As an old NICU nurse I have worked with many babies with this defect, some on ECMO, some not. Dr. O'Shea is great! I am glad that you are getting such clear information prior to her birth and that excellent care is available where you live. I will put "Baby Girl" on my prayer list and her parents too! The Lord is with you.
ReplyDeletewarmly, Joanne