New surgery helps babies breathe better

Babies born with the rare Pierre-Robin syndrome now face a more normal infancy thanks to a new surgical procedure.

Babies born with the rare Pierre-Robin syndrome now face a more normal infancy thanks to a new surgical procedure.The condition creates problems with a baby’s airway which required tubes to breathe and feed normally.The new procedure involves placing a small internal device on a baby’s jaw, with screws than can be turned one millimetre each day to stretch the jaw and open the airway.Neonatologist at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital Dr Peter McDougall says the procedure has been welcomed by parents.”It’s changed their lives essentially and I can tell you I’ve looked after children with this condition for about 20 years and the difference is just extraordinary,” he said.(Source: ABC Online News, Dec 2003)