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mediclopedia:

Ectopia Cordis Herniating Heart.

When Nazeem was born his heart was on his chest, on the outside, pumping normally. The aorta went from his heart straight into his chest. Doctors wrapped his heart in Gore-Tex, plus a layer of his own skin, and gradually moved it inside his body.

Naseem was born with Ectopia Cordis - the heart develops outside the body and the baby does not have a sternum. The sternum protects us from impacts, hence he should never play impact sports. When he is a bit older, about six months, pieces of his ribs will be grafted across his chest to create a makeshift sternum. About 1 in every 180,000 to 126,000 babies are born with Ectopia Cordis.

Doctors knew about his condition about a month before he was born after an ultrasound scan. In September his mother had noticed he seemed to be having hiccups all the time (probably the beating heart).

Hernia’s are a pretty common thing. We usually see ventral hernias or inguinal hernias. But something like this, I would be terrified as a parent, but amazed as a physician.. 

(via malgosh)