Mile 2
Abraham Espinal Diaz. 2 years old. Heart warrior.
Mile Sponsor: Marianne Davis
Baby Abraham was born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) – an abnormal opening in the diaphragm. The condition, which requires surgery after birth, must be watched closely in utero because the abnormal opening often permits parts of some abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity close to the lungs. When Abraham was born on Dec. 20, 2023 – at 38 weeks – he was immediately taken to Manning Family Children’s. He was in distress; and the baby’s stomach was pushing against his heart and he was suffering from severe pulmonary hypertension.
His heart and lungs were not able to function well enough to keep Abraham alive, and he was put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs when traditional, less aggressive treatments are not successful.
While on ECMO, Abraham underwent successful surgery to repair the congenital diaphragmatic hernia under the care of Dr. Adele Williams. The Merinos left Manning Family Children’s on July 20, when little Abraham was 7 months old. Today, Abraham is doing well! He is 17 months old, off oxygen, and thriving!
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