Daniel
Re-energizing a Brave One-Year-Old
The surgical experts at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital helped this baby hurdle a rare disease so he could get back to far more important things, like playing with his big brother.
To Lana and Dani Hook of Toms River, it seemed their second child, Daniel, was behaving very differently than his older brother, Andre, had at the same age. At less than a year old, Daniel was experiencing frequent bouts of constipation, along with periods withdrawal and irritation. Daniel's parents were also concerned that he might have some developmental issues in terms of learning how to crawl and walk.
Daniel's pediatrician therefore referred him for further evaluation to Saad Saad, M.D., chief of Pediatric Surgery at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Dr. Saad quickly determined that the little boy was suffering from Hirschsprung's disease, a disorder of the colon that occurs in only about 1 out of every 5,000 births and impacts boys five times more than girls.
An Obstacle to Health
"In many ways, receiving the diagnosis was actually a relief," Lana says. "At least we knew what was wrong and that there was a hopeful outcome."
Dr. Saad explains the disease accordingly: "Hirschsprung's disease occurs when some of the nerve cells that are normally present in the intestine do not form properly, or fully, while a baby is developing during pregnancy. As a result, stool cannot move forward through that portion of the digestive tract, causing a full or partial blockage." The disease usually shows up as worsening constipation and is often accompanied by a loss of appetite and delayed growth. Left untreated, it can lead to more serious problems.
"An operation to remove the intestinal obstruction and the portion of the intestine that doesn't function normally is often necessary to treat Hirschsprung's," continues Dr. Saad. "This was true with Daniel." Dr. Saad performed the operation in early 2006 and attached a colostomy bag so that Daniel would be able to excrete waste while he healed. Once the healing is complete, Dr. Saad goes on to say, "a second surgery — often called a 'pull-through' surgery — essentially reconstructs the rectum and restores bowel functioning," allowing the removal of the colostomy bag.
Taking the Necessary Steps
"We were scared to have our baby undergo surgery," Lana says, "but Dr. Saad prepared us well, and the team at Jersey Shore trained us for the challenges ahead. We had to learn to deal with follow-up care and the colostomy bag at home. The bag irritated Daniel's skin, and it also made him very fussy!"
Still, Lana was very pleased with the first surgery. "I was so impressed with the doctors and nurses — they are amazing. And when we returned six months later for the second surgery, they remembered us. We felt like part of their family. I had nurses by my side all night."
As for the second procedure, Lana admits, "I was both nervous and excited, as it meant the end of the colostomy bag. Daniel was a champ — he wasn't afraid. We were in the hospital for a week, including a stint in the Intensive Care Unit. The nurses made him feel very comfortable and made us feel very reassured as parents."
Sunnier Days Ahead
With Daniel's rare condition now expertly dealt with by his team of specialists, Lana and Dani can rest a lot easier. "With a sick child," Lana shares, "you get thrown into things and you have to learn fast. Now that Daniel has had his final surgery, we're looking forward to seeing him run around and play with his older brother. This has been a rough road, but we feel blessed. We're very grateful to the skill of Dr. Saad and to the team at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital."