ATLANTA – The Iraqi infant who underwent surgery for spinal birth defects was released from a hospital Friday to recover at an Atlanta-area home where father and grandmother have been staying, hospital officials said.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta officials said Noor al-Zahra was released because there was no change in her condition.
She will have to return to the hospital later for additional evaluation but no date has yet been scheduled, officials said.
Surgeons on Monday removed a fluid-filled sac from the baby's back and positioned her spinal cord in its proper place. Doctors had been monitoring the 3-month-old for any buildup of spinal fluid in her brain, which can lead to a dangerous buildup of pressure in the brain.
Noor was born with spina bifida, in which the backbone and spinal cord do not close before birth. She was brought to the United States for treatment after U.S. troops found her in a poverty-stricken district near Baghdad.
Her father and grandmother have been staying with a host family.
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.