This was an article on CNN today regarding a baby that had the same brain cooling as Noah at birth with the same hypoxic ishemic injury due to a traumatic birth. It sounds like the prognosis for her is really positive. Pictures and video look just like Noah did when he was born, it made his head swell and he was a little puffy with his silver helmet (cool cap). I'm so glad that Noah underwent brain cooling. There is a link to the CNN article at the very bottom should you wish to see the pictures and video that accompany the article. I also attached pictures at the bottom of Noah in his cool cap for those that haven't seen it before.
Miracle baby survives 20 minutes without oxygen
Reported by: Christopher Sign Email: csign@abc15.com Last Update: 2:07 pm
Miracle baby survives 20 minutes without oxygen
Slideshow PHOENIX - - A new high-tech tool that reduces the temperature of the brain is being credited with saving a baby's life at Phoenix Children's Hospital."She had no oxygen going to her, probably for over 20 minutes," said Phoenix Children's Hospital Doctor Christina Carballo.Chastilin Ramirez's mother suffered a possible stroke during the delivery and died en route to a Phoenix hospital. An emergency cesarean section was performed and Chastilin was taken to PCH with a slight heartbeat and unresponsive."We did not think she (Chastilin) was going to pull through," said Carballo. "We used our newest technology to help the brain recover."With a lack of oxygen, Carballo said she wanted to prevent toxins from the injured brain cells spreading to other parts of the baby's brain.The team of doctors turned to a device called the 'Cool Cap' which drops the brain's temperature."Which slows completely the metabolism of how the brain is surviving at that time," said Carballo while standing next to the Rodriguez-Ramirez family outside PCH.The cap was placed on Chastilin's head for 72 hours, and doctors simply watched and waited to see if it had any effect."She did nothing, she was still on a ventilator, she didn't breath above the ventilator, she didn't move," said Carballo.For all practical purposes, doctors assumed Chastilin's brain had died.According to Carballo, the lack of oxygen during birth resulted in Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, which means the brain was deprived of oxygen before and/or during delivery.The baby's father, Maurilio Rodriguez, was told his daughter might not pull through and that he needed to prepare himself and decide whether Chastilin should be removed from life support.The team of doctors in the newborn intensive care unit then waited 24 hours and conducted a final check of brain activity.The Rodriguez-Ramirez family and PCH doctors watched as a miracle unfolded."She (Chastilin) started responding, we got her off the ventilator, she started sucking, grabbing hands, looking at people, she came back," said Carballo as she smiled at the baby.Just days after burying Chastilin's mom, her family is taking her home.This is the couple's sixth child."Oh, well, we're just so happy she's coming home with us," said Chastilin's 14-year-old sister, Jessica.Doctors admit they were surprised and impressed with the baby's progress and credit the use of the 'Cool Cap' with saving her life."We were able to give her a second chance, really, to a normal life," said Carballo. "Before 'Cool Cap' we've had no other way to give these babies a quality of life, cooling the brain lets us offer hope."Phoenix Children's Hospital officials say the 'Cool Cap' is currently the only weapon doctors have that can prevent or reduce the severity of neurologic injury associated with HIE.According to Phoenix Children's Hospital doctors, it is one of two hospitals in the country that uses the 'Cool Cap'. The other hospital is located in California.A Wells Fargo account has been set up to help the Rodriguez-Ramirez family pay for medical bills and other expenses.The account number is 283363745 and registered under the Ramirez Family. Doctors say Chastilin will have frequent check-ups, but is expected to make a complete and full recovery.
http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoenixmetro/central/story/Miracle-baby-survives-20-minutes-without-oxygen/8aBkItUAEEOrVXn4wRF7yQ.cspx
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