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Page last updated at 13:28 GMT, Tuesday, 22 July 2008 14:28 UK

Heart baby is off transplant list

Theo Davis
Theo only has half a heart and has had five operations

A baby who was given weeks to live unless a heart donor was found has made what his parents have described as "a miraculous recovery."

Theo Davis, from Keswick, Cumbria, has hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which means he was born with half a heart.

He had five operations at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital while waiting for a donor organ.

But now he has been taken off the transplant waiting list and may only need a new heart when he is a teenager.

He began breathing on his own earlier this month and doctors say they have been amazed at his recovery within the space of two weeks.

Parents Rebecca Giles and Ryan Davis said they were delighted with their son's progress.

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Theo's parents are hoping to take their son home

Mr Davis said: "He had a small operation last week which has helped dramatically and his heart functions are now a lot better than when we first brought him in.

"He is doing really well and was actually taken off the transplant list on Monday.

"This could mean he may not now need a new heart until teenage years, but we know we've still got a long way to go yet."

Miss Giles added: "This is the most we could have ever wished for.

"It's great that we maybe getting him home in a few weeks. He's even been taken out of intensive care and is on a recovery ward.

"He is smiling and almost back to his old self. It's absolutely marvellous, we just cannot believe it."




SEE ALSO
Baby surviving off life support
09 Jul 08 |  Cumbria
Doctor backs heart donor appeal
01 Jul 08 |  Cumbria

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