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| Personal details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Phoebe |
| Age | 9 months |
| Place of birth | Accra |
| Residence | Accra |
| Country | Ghana |
Social circumstances:
Little Phoebe lives with her parents – her mother works as a nursing assistant in a state hospital, whilst her father is currently unemployed – in a poor suburb of Accra.
Phoebe has had a life-threatening heart defect since birth.
Phoebe undergoing a cardiac ultrasound scan
Medical details:
This is a condition known as a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
This passage (duct) forms a connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery in the unborn child. Because the foetus in the womb is still supplied with oxygen-rich blood by its mother and does not breathe independently, the ductus arteriosus serves to divert the blood largely past the pulmonary circulation. It is only after birth, when the newborn begins to breathe independently, that the lungs expand. They can then be supplied with blood as normal, and the baby’s body begins to supply itself with oxygen-rich blood. The ductus arteriosus is then no longer required and closes within the first few days of life.
In the case of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), however, this connection remains open after birth: If the ductus arteriosus does not close, some of the oxygen-rich blood does not flow into the systemic circulation. Instead, it flows from the aorta back directly into the pulmonary circulation via the open ductus arteriosus (left-to-right shunt). Depending on the size of the opening, the oxygen supply via the systemic circulation may be reduced to a greater or lesser extent. In Phoebe’s case, the condition is very severe: she suffers from growth retardation, shortness of breath (oxygen-poor blood!) and marked physical weakness. The condition will lead to her death from heart failure within the next few months.
Prof. Charles Yankah, a former cardiac surgeon and deputy director of the German Heart Centre in Berlin, organised a free operation for little Phoebe in Durban, South Africa, during his last visit to Ghana. As soon as international flights within Africa are possible again once the Covid pandemic has subsided, Phoebe will fly to Durban.
Tulisa would like to cover the flight costs for mother and child, as well as general accommodation and living expenses.
We have come this far with little Phoebe – please help us to save her life now!