Hi,

I was just wondering if I could have some feedback from anyone who can provide me with some information.

I have an 11 week old baby who has a medium/large VSD that requires surgery. He was born 8 weeks premature and now weighs 3.5kg.

Does anyone know of surgery being performed on a baby around this weight? Our local cardiac surgeon has said the surgery could be performed in the next couple of months if we would accept a blood transfusion. We do not want to use blood and because of the blood volume needed to prime the heart lung machine, we have been told we will have to wait until baby is 9kg.

I have heard of a technique using simple deep hypothermia and operations on smaller babies. Can anyone shed any light on this please?

I would really appreciate your comments.

Regards
Karen

Karen please contact me at 216-844-3492, I'd like to discuss this with you further.

We're in a very simular situation and our hearts and prayers go out to you.

Our baby daughter, now 6 months of age was fitted with a P.A band when her aorta was reconstructed, shortly after birth,this will compensate for her large v.s.d. until she is larger, when she will need surgery, perhaps at around one year of age. she weighs now only 5.88kg and weve been told she'll have to weigh about 10kg to have surgery without blood.

We have heard that v.s.d is somtimes mended using an occulader device, this is not suitable for our baby Scarletts v.s.d as it is perimembranous and too close to the aortic valve. We send our love to you and pray you find the information you need to help make the best desision.

Hi Amelia

Thanks for your reply. I will just need to work out the time difference and give you a call.

Thanks Karen

Hi Purple

Thank you for your kind words. It certainly is a trial having a baby with health problems isn't it? I wish you all the best for your little one and hope all goes well with her surgery. Will her surgery be preformed in the UK? Or are you looking at overseas?

Regards
Karen

Hi karen
She is under the care of G.O.S Londen, when they are sure when her op will be, and if they can consider without blood,or not, we will decide how to continue.
Regards
Lydia Haralambous. 'Purple'