Baby with heart defect at center of surrogate dispute receives first surgery
Summary
A baby named Rumi, born with a rare and serious heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), had his first surgery in Texas. The surgery is the first of three needed to help him survive, but there is an ongoing legal fight between the surrogate who gave birth and the intended parents over custody and medical decisions.Key Facts
- Rumi was born in Texas with HLHS, a rare heart defect requiring three surgeries.
- The first surgery, the Norwood procedure, was done when Rumi was just days old.
- The second and third surgeries are planned for later months and years of his life.
- The surrogate, McKenna West, refused to have an abortion after the heart defect was found.
- The intended parents, Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar from California, wanted an abortion.
- Texas authorities intervened, ordering that the baby receive lifesaving care and limiting West’s contact with him.
- West’s lawyer is working to challenge custody orders, claiming Texas law makes the birth mother the legal mother.
- The intended parents’ lawyer says West’s custody claims violate court orders and they are focusing on Rumi’s health.
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