GLUE INJECTIONS HELP SICK BABIES

03.12.2009 [13:15]
Print
A⁺ A^-

Baku, December 3 (AZERTAC). Children suffering from a rare condition which can kill babies within days are being saved - with glue. The adhesive is being given injections to combat Vein of Galen malformation, which affects communication between the arteries and veins in their brain. Dafi Evans, of Talgarreg, Ceredigion, is one of the toddlers treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and his mother called it "truly amazing". Dr Stefan Brew has operated on 50 children with Vein of Galen since 2003.

The condition puts a strain on the heart and babies usually die within three or four days as a result of heart failure or water on the brain.

But by injecting the tissue adhesive Histoacryl through a catheter into the baby`s groin, the affected area of the brain is blocked.

Dafi`s mother Catrin was heavily pregnant when she and husband Eilir were told their unborn baby had the life-threatening condition.

GLUE INJECTIONS HELP SICK BABIES

FEEDBACK