Child flown back to Dublin after US procedure

THE DUBLIN child with a rare medical condition who was flown to Boston in the US five months ago arrived back by Government jet into Baldonnel last night.

Elie Madden (18 months) had not been able to breathe or swallow unaided when she left Ireland late last year, and was placed in a coma for 38 days in Boston Children’s Hospital to “grow” her oesophagus. After seven operations, she took her first normal meal a few days ago, and has been able to use her voice for the first time.

“She hadn’t been well before we left Boston, but she bounced back as she always does, slept most of the way, was monitored by a doctor and nurse and we’re on our way now to Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin,” her father, Eddie Madden, said at Baldonnel aerodrome.

“She’s got a great Irish appetite,” US surgeon Dr Russell Jennings, who led the treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital, said yesterday.

Elie was diagnosed with a rare digestive disorder at birth known as severe posterior tracheomalacia and long-gap oesophageal atresia.

A gap between her oesophagus and stomach prevented her from being able to eat, drink or swallow without medical equipment.

Dr Jennings and his colleagues are world experts in the oesophagus-growing procedure, devised by paediatric surgeon John Foker. Dr Foker worked with Dr Jennings on Elie’s treatment, which was covered by the Health Service Executive and VHI.

Dr Jennings is due to start treating a second Dublin twin with the same condition this week. Thirteen-month Sergio O’Connor was flown to Boston on Monday by the Air Corps, which then took the Maddens home on the return flight.

Elie was also accompanied by her twin sister, Emie, grandmother Anita and a specialist HSE team.