A multispecialty team at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone performed a complex at-birth procedure to save Aydin Martin, who was born with congenital high airway obstruction syndrome.
Photo courtesy of the Martin family
Yadi Martin was 24 weeks pregnant when she received the devastating news that her baby had a rare condition known as congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS). After turning to the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Program at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, her and husband, Jamaal, found the hope they were searching for.
After four prior miscarriages, the Martins were determined to become a family of three. When Yadi was 36 weeks pregnant, a multidisciplinary team at NYU Langone performed an EXIT (ex utero intrapartum treatment) delivery. This involves partially delivering the baby to establish an airway while baby is still attached to the placenta.
The EXIT delivery team featured Ashley S. Roman, MD, vice chair for clinical affairs for obstetrics and director of the Division of Maternal–Fetal Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Jason C. Fisher, MD, director of children’s surgical services for Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and director of the Division of Pediatric Surgery; and Scott M. Rickert, MD, director of the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and co-director of the Pediatric Aerodigestive Center at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital.
After 169 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Tisch Hospital followed by more than 5 months in a rehabilitation facility overcoming further challenges linked to CHAOS, Aydin is finally home in Brooklyn with his parents.
The Martins and their care team discuss their story and life at home with Aydin with the Associated Press.
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