7 Organ Transplant Saves Life of Baby Girl
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A 19-month-old baby girl from San Antonio, Texas, who was only expected to survive 24 hours after birth, is now thriving after a seven organ transplant at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, the Sun Sentinel reported.
Delilah Valdez was born with a rare condition known as megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome, which means her stomach, kidneys, intestines and bladder were unable to function properly. As a result, she was unable to eat – and doctors had prepared her family for the worst.
But three months ago, doctors attempted to transplant seven organs into Delilah – a liver, stomach, pancreas, small and large intestine, kidney and spleen – with amazing results.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Delilah had a condition in which her smooth muscles don't contract normally,'' said Dr. Andreas Tzakis, director of UM/Jackson Memorial's liver/GI transplant program. Tzakis performed the 14-hour surgery.
"When she ate, the food would not go south … The amazing thing is not just what happens with the surgery, but that the recovery these patients make can be complete.”
Delilah is now able to eat solid foods, and she can return home by the end of the week.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"But in order for us to gain the gift of life for our daughter, someone else had to lose theirs,” said Delilah’s mother, Julissa Cerda, 24. “I keep that baby and the family in my prayers all the time.”
Click here to read more on this story from the Sun Sentinel.