Ectopia Cordis: Heart on the Outside
Of all the various illness and conditions humans are afflicted with, those that affect children, especially newborns, are just that bit more touching. Naseem Hasni, born on October 31 with ectopia cordis (warning: graphic autopsy photos), has just undergone corrective surgery to move his heart from outside his body into his chest cavity. Approximately 6 to 8 children per million live births are affected by ectopic cordis, which can usually be diagnosed prenatally using ultrasound.
Before the surgery, Naseem’s heart looked like a peeled plum sitting atop his pink chest, with the aorta diving back underneath the skin. Nevertheless, the heart was beating away normally.
During the six-hour operation, surgeons first wrapped Naseem’s heart in Gore-Tex, then a layer of his own skin, to substitute for his missing pericardium, the sac that encloses the heart. The heart was then slowly eased inside his chest.
If all things go well, Naseem could be home by Christmas. Here’s hoping he’ll be cradled in his mother’s arms in his own home this holiday season.
Thanks for the tip, Ruth.
WFRV, November 22, 2006
Technorati Tags: ectopia cordis, nassem hasni, heart, heart disease, congenital heart disease, diseases, illness, health, children, kids
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POSTED IN: Heart Conditions, People With Heart Disease
3 opinions for Ectopia Cordis: Heart on the Outside
Marcie Stumpf
Sep 23, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Ectopia Cordis is an awfull heart defect. I feel with the right facility and awsome physicians these children can have a wonderful fullfilled normal life. In 1989 my daughter Jazmyn Hope was born with thorac ectopia cordis. We had the most experienced and wonderful physicians and services available for our daughter. If the hospital thought they needed a specific physician they picked out specialist from all over the world. My Dr. was Dr. Litwin of Childrens
Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. This is the most heart reching defect a person could ever imagine.
All worked well with Jazmyns surgerys until, there is the magic horrible word-until she caught an infection which ended her wonderful, beautiful life at the age of 5 weeks old. My personal opinion for parents with this defect is to make the proper decisions. This will impact your life and your childs life forever. Please contact me if you would like to chat. Love and Blessings to all from the Family of Jazmyn Hope Stumpf.
Jane Morrison
Oct 14, 2007 at 2:19 am
I am Naseem Hasni s Grandmother, Naseem is doing very well, He is a very alert little boy,and loves carttons and music.He will be 1 year old this October 31 st our halloween baby. We are planning a big party for him, He haas 1 major surgery to go and thats to put a sternum in his body.We are very blessed, He is a terrific boy.
Kendra James, RN
Oct 14, 2007 at 2:24 am
That is wonderful news Jane! I wish you and your family all the best and a wonderful birthday party. God bless.
Kendra :)
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