Erez | NICU Portraits | Omphalocele | Charlotte, North Carolina

At her 20 week anatomy scan, Erez’s mom Natalie, found out that her baby was experiencing a rare condition. Erez was diagnosed with an omphalocele, where the abdominal wall does not form correctly, allowing the intestines to protrude.

Erez arrived at 37 weeks by planned c-section. He weighed just 4 pounds 14 ounces. After birth, it was discovered that he had an additional health concern; his lungs were under-developed. While his omphalocele has begun resolving, he has needed additional breathing support.

Erez uses a tracheostomy (trach), with support from a ventilator, to breathe. A trach allows for longer-term ventilator support without as much limitation to mobility. It may also allow him to get home sooner, since the trach is something his family can manage at home. Any little bit of progression towards getting our babies home is worth it!