A family in New Jersey received devastating news during their son’s 10-week ultrasound – he was diagnosed with exencephaly, a neural tube defect that caused his brain to develop outside of his skull. Despite doctors’ initial prognosis that he wouldn’t survive past birth, little Lucas has defied the odds and will be celebrating his 7-month milestone this month.
Dr. Tim Vogel, chief of pediatric neurosurgery, discovered a glimmer of hope for Lucas just before his birth. He designed a delicate surgery to protect his healthy brain tissue and allow his skull to grow. The procedure was a success, and Lucas is now breathing on his own and showing signs of progress.
Lucas’s journey is nothing short of a miracle, with his bone formation and scalp growth progressing as expected. Dr. Vogel remains optimistic about Lucas’s future development, including potential cosmetic procedures to enhance his quality of life.
Despite the challenges Lucas has faced, he continues to defy expectations by reaching developmental milestones like trying to crawl and lift his head. His story serves as a beacon of hope for families navigating tough diagnoses, showing that miracles can happen against all odds.
Sources
- New Jersey baby born with ‘brain outside of skull’ believed to be first to survive condition source
