Little Arthur defies the odds

A critically ill new-born baby has survived against all odds after a dramatic dash by helicopter from a Shropshire village to Birmingham Children's Hospital for life-saving heart surgery.

Little Arthur Howells suffered increasing breathing problems when he was just 10 days old. Just two weeks ago, Arthur turned blue and his frantic mother Beth, 31, took him to the nearby GP surgery in Alveley, near Bridgnorth, for help.

Immediately the Midlands Air Ambulance was summoned and the baby was airlifted to the specialist children's unit.

Just 11 minutes later Arthur was being examined by a top heart specialist who revealed that the baby, now a month old, was suffering from a conditions known as cyanotic heart defect, and Transposition of the Great Arteries or TGA.

This meant that his heart was wrongly plumbed with the main arteries transposed so almost no oxygen was being carried around his body. He needed urgent treatment.

Arthur then underwent intricate surgery on his heart, which is little bigger than a walnut.

The operation was a success and after four days in intensive care and a week on a cardiac ward Arthur is almost ready to go home, to the delight of his family.

"The whole experience was quite terrifying," said Mrs Howells.

"The cardiologist came over and explained Arthur had a heart problem – then to our great joy he said 'but we can fix it'. I just felt flooded with relief."

Although Arthur will have regular check-ups he is expected to lead a normal life. His parents say they will never forget the debt they owe to the hospital.

"They were amazing," said his father Rob, a builder.

The family is now backing the hospital's £2 million appeal to create the most advanced heart unit in the UK. Mrs Howells added: "This must be one of the few places anywhere in the world that a child as desperately ill as Arthur could have been saved."

Anyone interested in getting involved or helping to raise funds for the appeal, should contact http://www.bch.org.uk or call the fund-raising team on (0121) 333 8525.

By Brett Gibbons