Series of operations save baby with heart defect in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: A multidisciplinary team of doctors performed a series of complex procedures to save the life of a newborn in Abu Dhabi with a severe heart defect.

Baby Awad, diagnosed with a critical heart condition, was treated by cardiologists and surgeons at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC). Led by paediatric and neonatal cardiac surgeon Dr Benedict Rajkumar, the team carried out several life-saving procedures during the baby’s first weeks. These interventions included an arterial switch operation, intraventricular tunnel repair, right ventricular muscle bundle resection, and other challenging surgeries, made even more complicated by Awad’s small size.

After these successful interventions, the baby was discharged in June. However, he later experienced complications and was readmitted due to desaturation – a condition where blood oxygen levels drop dangerously low, which required further medical attention and close monitoring.

The medical team quickly devised a care plan, which included tracking his weight gain and scheduling regular follow-up visits to the paediatric cardiology clinic. The baby has now made a full recovery.

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, affecting about 1% of newborns. About one in four of these defects are critical and typically require surgery within the first year of life.

Dr Rajkumar said: “The successful management of baby Awad’s complex congenital heart disease reflects the strong collaboration between SEHA’s multidisciplinary teams and the dedication of our medical staff at SKMC.”

SKMC, recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, is part of the SEHA network, a subsidiary of PureHealth.