Bryson: Duodenal Atresia

Crystal was six months pregnant when she learned her baby had duodenal atresia (when part of the bowel hasn’t developed correctly and stomach contents can’t get through). Her baby would require surgery within three days of delivery. Her maternal-fetal medicine specialist referred her to the Perinatal Testing & Specialty Consultations program at Nemours Children's. According to Crystal, “Within an hour, both the neonatologist and surgeon had called me.” 

She delivered her baby, Bryson, in a planned C-section through the Nemours Advanced Delivery Program. He was immediately moved to the Nemours Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) following his surgery. A few days later, he developed a heart condition called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), where his heart suddenly beat much faster than normal. His perinatal team and Nemours cardiology specialists successfully managed that with medication, and after 17 days in the hospital, Bryson was discharged. And, months later, Crystal’s beautiful baby boy is thriving.