Doctors "freeze" a baby to save his life when the baby's heart rate was nearly double the norm. On Feb. 15, ABC News reported that doctors at the University College London Hospital were able to give this baby a chance at life by doing something that is kind of strange. Doctors basically lowered the baby's temperature to 91 degrees "to protect his vital organs and slow his heart rate." Thus, they "froze" him.
Edward Ives was born with supraventricular tachycardia or SVT and he only had a 5% survival chance. After doctors tried all of the routine practices for a baby with SVT -- shocking the heart, administering various medications -- doctors tried something a little different.
The doctors elected to "freeze" the baby using a cold gel blanket. This method helped lower Edward's body temperature causing his heart rate to come down to normal. Every time he temperature went up, his heart rate followed. The baby's mother, Claire Ives, recalls the scary treatment and she recalls asking if her baby was going to die. At one point, a nurse told her "he might."
Doctors soon figured out that raising Edward's temperature slowly over a couple of days was the way to go. Edward's temp was raised one half degree every 12 hours -- and his heart rate remained steady. This process took a few days, but Edward fought his way through, and his doctors' really did save his life. He was able to go home after 10 days.
The baby that doctors chose to "freeze" is now 6-months-old and is doing great. He is still monitored by the hospital, but so far, so good.
© Effie Orfanides 2013
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