Baby Born With Heart Outside of Body

Baby with heart outside body has surgery By JENNIFER KAY, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 5 minutes ago



MIAMI - Using a piece of Gore-Tex fabric to make their repairs, doctors performed corrective surgery on a baby born with his heart outside his chest, and said Wednesday that the youngster should be able to lead a close-to-normal life.

Baby with heart outside body has surgery - Yahoo! News

I found this article fascinating! A 36 weeker weighing over 9lbs at birth?! Also, since he is lacking a sternum and chest wall, would he have the chest stability necessary to breathe, or would he have required mechanical ventilation since birth? Have they waited almost a month to do the corrective surgery because they needed to expand his skin sufficiently to fashion a pericardium? Amazing he hasn't suffered an overwhelming infection in that time. A tribute to excellent nursing care!