Baby critical, needs urgent heart transplant, say desperate parents

Little Whitney is only seven months old and instead of a bouncing healthy baby, she is critically ill and in urgent need of a heart transplant.

The baby suffers from heart failure and only 20 percent of function is left, according to the Hong Kong Children's Hospital in Kowloon Bay, where her parents appealed for a heart donation -- a gut-wrenching situation when the donor is most likely a young child.

Whitney, according to the hospital, has been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which her heart enlarges and cannot pump blood effectively.

At the hospital’s intensive care unit, Whitney has relied on a biventricular assist device since October 18 last year to help with blood circulation to keep her alive.

“Heart transplant is the only way to save Whitney and it has to be done as soon as possible, otherwise there is a high chance of serious symptoms such as cerebral hemorrhage, stroke or infection and can be life-threatening,” the hospital said.

Awaiting a suitable heart for over four months, her family first searched for a heart in October. The Hospital Authority also sought assistance from the mainland for cross-boundary organ donation.

“What we can only do is accompany Whitney in her ward and ask doctors if her situation has turned better. But we know that only a heart transplant can save her,” Whitney’s father said.

“Whitney has been very brave. We will not give up and wish for a miracle for a suitable heart for her,” he said.

Whitney suffered sepsis and respiratory failure when she was infected on January 13 via her cardiac catheter once. She is now conscious, with a nasogastric tube to feed formula, and taking antibiotics as she was infected again yesterday.

She was first diagnosed with cardiogenic shock -- a medical emergency due to a dysfunction of the heart on September 14 and underwent pulmonary artery banding – a surgery wrapping a band around her pulmonary artery.

Her condition worsened on September 28 and she had to use extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a heart-lung machine to provide cardiac and respiratory support.

Eligible heart donors must weigh between seven and 22 kilograms and there is no need for a blood type match.

(Henry Siu)