Pacemaker operation Infection

Dear All,

This is my first message here on board and apologies if my question has been asked previously. It will be helpful if some one will re direct me to that post.

We have our DD born on 17th July 2012 at 37+5 gestation of my wife. Our baby was detected CHB at 27 weeks of gestation because my wife carries asymptomatic anti-Ro antibodies. My wife was prescribed dexamethasone 4mg per day, but still our baby's HR always varied between 50-60 and never improved. My wife was also detected with Cholestasis at 34 weeks.After delivery our baby's HR was around same but after one day it fell at 48 BPM and lactose increasing to 7 odd. Doctors decided to put ventricular pacemaker (st Jude make) on second day itself and it was successful. After 2 days of operation, infection was detected in wound , PM started to send wrong signals and our baby was taken to emergency operation again. The pacemaker was taken off and replaced with external leads and external PM. They started 3 different antibodies and sent puss from infection for culture test. Put a Vac dressing on the wound. No Bacteria was grown at labs on the sample of wound. Our baby is now 9 days old with external PM. Surgeons are planning for second operations(not sure of day yet) but in some other place.

Could some one please tell me is this some thing common for infection to occur on the baby with PM operation? What might be the reasons for infections (Surgical Procedure)? What are the chance of same thing happening during second attempt? What are the effects of antibodies on so young baby? how many days actually it takes for new born baby to recover from PM surgery? What precautions do surgeons need to take during their second attempt?

It would be really helpful, if some one can help me in getting the answers of above questions or redirecting me to similar post with answers.

Thanks to all for any help in advance.

Kind Regards,
Mayu

4 Comments

Hi:)

by Pookie - 2012-07-25 11:07:33

I'm so sorry to hear what you, your wife, and baby are going through.

Infection is a risk with any surgery.

There is an ad about Infection to the upper left of this screen. Also, if you use the "search" function - upper right hand corner and type in the word "infection" you will find oodles of posts and comments on the subject.

I wish your newborn all the best. Please keep us posted? There are a few parents that are members on behalf of their children here, so I hope they read your post and offer their support...I'm sure they will, so check back from time to time...just look at this (your original post) and any comments will be under that, like this one.

Pookie

Thanks for the reply

by mayu7982 - 2012-07-26 02:07:42

Thanks Pookie. Thanks Hurtheart. Your prayers will always be helpful for our baby.. I did searched infection topic. But couldn't find related to young babies..hope some one will read my post who has gone through this situation.

Thanks once again to you all.

Similar story

by Jobo81 - 2012-07-26 07:07:54

Hi,
I can totally understand what you and your wife are going through.
My baby is 4 months now but while I was pregnant we found out at 19 weeks I had anti Ro antibodies and our baby had complete heart block. I too was put on medication and it did increase his HR but when he was born his HR slowed to 48-50 and he had a pacemaker at 5 days old. Fortunately his operation went really well and he's making amazing progress.
It must be very difficult at the moment for you both especially with the complications but it will get better.
I can only talk from my experience but after his PM was fitted the sense of relief was amazing. He was only in hospital for 3 days after it was fitted just to establish his feeding and to monitor him. He had a check up at 6 weeks and will have another one at 6 months.
I really hope the second operation is successful and you can take your baby home soon to start family life.
I've found this site very helpful, there are so many lovely people here with a wealth of knowledge and experience and are more than willing to offer help and support.
I hope over the next few weeks things get easier for you all.
Jo.

need guidance

by mayu7982 - 2012-07-28 08:07:00

Hi Jo,

Thanks for the reply.Sorry for late reply as I was a kind of busy with all the stuff going with us. Its really assuring and relief to hear from some one who has gone through the same situation as us.

Yep its was unfortunate that the infection happened to our baby. The infection has been controlled now and surgeons are planning for second operation tomorrow.

Could you please send me more details(can send me PM ) . which place is the PM put in your DS? what make is it? What doctors have told about next surgery to replace battery? Could you also tell me how did you take care of wounds after your son's surgery. What parents really need to take care post surgery? medications ? picking or handling the baby? bath for baby?

Any informations will be great for us both as I have heard in Australia these case are bit rare in terms of the ratio to the overall population.

Thanks once again.

Regards,
Mayu

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A pacemaker suddenly quitting is no more likely to happen than you are to be struck by lightening.