Jacob's new jaw
Jacob Bateman was just a newborn when doctors diagnosed him with Pierre Robin
syndrome — a genetic disorder characterized by a cleft palate and an extremely
small lower jaw, which causes difficulty in eating and breathing independently.
It also poses a constant risk that the child's airway will be obstructed by the
tongue falling backwards into the throat. Jacob's breathing and eating
difficulties forced him to be hospitalized several times while still a
newborn.
When he was able to leave the hospital, he was sent home with different
monitors, oxygen and suction machines. “We were constantly worried about him
catching a cold or getting congested, which would have led to more
complications,” says Jacob's mother, Kristin Bateman. “It was a very difficult
way to live.”
Doctors suggested that Jacob might need a surgery called a tracheostomy,
which has been the only solution that would enable a child with this condition
to breathe but could cause a new set of complications for the boy. Searching for
a better answer, the Batemans brought Jacob to Children's Memorial.
Lauren Holinger, MD, head of the Division
of Otolaryngology suggested that Jacob might be a candidate for a surgical
procedure that would eliminate the need for a tracheostomy. At the
recommendation of pediatric plastic surgeon Pravin K.
Patel, MD , Jacob became one of the youngest
patients to undergo mandibular distraction osteogenesis. Surgeons implanted a
device into his jaw to help lengthen bone and attached muscle, thus allowing him
to breathe on his own. Currently, Children's Memorial is one of only a few
hospitals in the country offering this procedure for newborns. “It is a magical
process,” said Patel. “Bone is created from thin air using the body's own
chemistry.”
Several weeks later, the device was removed. Soon after, Jacob was discharged
and sent home without monitors or machines. Jacob is now an energetic
one-year-old who keeps his parents busy!
Children's Memorial Hospital seeks philanthropic funding to enhance its
programs and services. As a proud partner of the Children's Miracle Network
(CMN), all funds raised in the Chicago area through CMN also benefit Children's
Memorial. To find out how your support can help the hospital better serve
children and families, please contact the Children's Memorial Foundation at
773.880.4237 or Foundation@childrensmemorial.org.