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Successful heart surgery performed on 14-day-old

DUBAI – In a rare surgery, doctors at the Dubai Hospital corrected multiple congenital problems in a 14-day-old infant weighing only 2kg.

The surgery was performed on a premature baby boy, Mohammed, born to a UAE national couple. “His low weight and age is what makes the heart surgery rare,” explained Dr Ahmed Kamali, senior Consulting Heart Surgeon at Dubai Hospital, who conducted the surgery along with his team of specialists.

Dr Kamali said that the surgeons helped the heart beat better by performing the high-risk surgery. “The baby was born with multiple congenital heart problems and would have lost his life if the corrective surgery wasn’t performed on time,” said Dr Kamali.

Explaining the procedure, he said that the operation was conducted under full anesthesia and lasted two hours.

“We had to expand the pulmonary valve using a balloon catheter so that the child could breathe easier,” he explained. “For at least two hours after the surgery, the baby remained in danger, but pulled through,” said Dr Kamali, adding that Mohammed was now doing better and was ready to be discharged.

“The child needs regular follow up and will also require another surgery later in life,” said the doctor, adding that the child will hopefully lead a normal life.

The department at Dubai Hospital carries out heart surgeries on infants and children up to 15 years of age.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com