Boy born with liver outside body survives major op

9:54am Friday 16th May 2008

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JASPER Collier was born with his liver outside his body and survived a major abdominal operation when less than a day old.

One of an average three-in-10,000 newborns to have the condition, known as exomphalos, Jasper, from Rhiwderin, spent 10 days recovering in the University Hospital of Wales' (UHW, in Cardiff) special baby care unit after surgeons inserted the organ into his abdomen.

He has since undergone emergency surgery to correct a double stomach hernia, but at four months old is doing well.

Now dad Neil plans a 217-mile fundraising cross-Wales bike ride by way of a thank you, roping in more than a dozen friends to ride with him and provide back-up.

For Mr Collier 38, and wife Julie, 44, Jasper's arrival put a period of "heartbreak and emotional stress" behind them.

Having had a boy, Jake, now six years old, the couple wanted a second child, but Mrs Collier had a miscarriage, then they endured the agony of two terminations because of foetal problems.

"We looked at fertility treatment, then Julie became pregnant again. We were anxious for weeks until scans showed the baby appeared to be OK," said Mr Collier.

"Then we got the news he had an exomphalos. There were scans every month and it was a very stressful time, because the doctors didn't really know until he was born what the extent of the problem would be."

Greek for "outside the navel", exomphalos involves the contents of the abdomen protruding into the umbilical cord through what should become the belly button.

It can involve other life-threatening problems and even in uncomplicated cases one-in-10 babies die.

After his birth by caesarian section in January, Jasper had a four-hour operation, part of which involved fitting a form of surgical webbing, to help muscle growth.

"Everyone in Cardiff has been tremendous, and after all we've endured, I wanted to give something back," said Mr Collier.

THE four-day ride, from Bangor to Bassaleg, starts in north Wales on Thursday June 26.

Money raised will go to Red Dragon Radio's Help A South Wales Child appeal, and to Pentrepoeth primary school.

"A lot of my friends on the ride have children, like Jake, who go to Pentrepoeth. The school wants outdoor play facilities, so we are supporting them too," said Mr Collier.

Cycle ride, sponsorship and donation details can be found at www.b2bbikeride.co.uk