Iraqi 'Baby Noor' Arrives in Ga. for Care

Las Vegas Sun ^ | December 31, 2005 | MIKE STOBBE ASSOCIATED PRESS

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

ATLANTA (AP) -

An Iraqi infant with severe birth defects arrived in Atlanta Saturday for medical treatment that was offered after U.S. soldiers discovered her during a raid on a home.

Baby Noor al-Zahra, or "Baby Nora" to the Americans, was responsive Saturday evening and in good condition, said Kevin McClelland, spokesman for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. He said it likely will be another week before she goes into surgery.

The three-month-old child left Baghdad in a military transport plane Friday, accompanied by her grandmother and father. An airport worker in Atlanta translated the grandmother's brief comments after they arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

"She said they're happy to be here," the worker said

U.S. troops discovered the baby three weeks ago during a raid of a house in Abu Ghraib, a poverty-stricken district west of Baghdad. The soldiers noticed paralysis in the baby's legs and what appeared to be a tumor on her back.

They later learned the 3-month-old child had spina bifida, a birth defect in which the backbone and spinal cord do not close before birth. The "tumor" on the baby's back was actually a fluid-filled sac containing part of the spinal cord and membranes that are supposed to cover the spinal cord.

U.S. doctors were sent e-mail photos of the baby and received some medical information, but they still needed to do a full evaluation before attempting surgery, said Dr. Roger Hudgins, a pediatric neurosurgeon who agreed to take the case.

"I think the chances of her survival are good," Hudgins said Saturday. Without more medical care, "she would have died."

Baby Noor's health care is to be provided for free, he said. The surgery and accompanying care would cost about $200,000 if it were billed.

Hudgins also praised the soldiers for their role in getting Baby Noor to the United States. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., helped arrange the trip. "This is certainly an exciting day for everyone," said his spokesman Greg Wright.

Baby Noor will probably need one or two months in the United States to complete the medical repairs and recovery before returning to Iraq. Her grandmother and father are to stay with a host family arranged by Childspring International, a faith-based children's medical charity.

The organization also will arrange follow-up medical care for the infant in Iraq, said Rose Emily Bermudez, the group's executive director.

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[voiceinthewind]

Isn't that smile something? She looks like one of mine. The kids and I have been saying some long prayers for her, I'm so glad that our country could help this precious child of God.

[Theresawithanh]

Yes, thanks for the info, and what a great post!

God bless the men and women of the U. S. military!

[Theresawithanh]

Ooooh, I just want to hug and kiss that adorable little baby!

She's been given a new life because of our wonderful military men and women.

[Huck]

That's what PR is all about. I mean, it's a win-win. The troops get good press, meaning the war effort gets good press, and a little kid gets some needed help. Only scary part is it wouldn't surprise me to learn months later that Rumsfeld personally chose that child, or that she was flown in from Bolivia...you know? I just hope it's REAL.

[stephenjohnbanker]

So do I : )

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Man.... that is a great smile!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See the photo of a smiling little one at post #20.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Awwwwwww........HOW cute!!!! :)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Just beautiful!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Got any more photos?

[processing please hold]

Ohhh, how adorable.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Update:

Doctor says Baby Noor is doing well

********************

Excerpt

****************

TLANTA (AP) — An Iraqi infant with severe birth defects is "engaging and interactive" as she awaits a lifesaving operation, her doctor said Monday.

		Baby Noor clings to her grandmother as they get into an ambulance outside Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
		By John Bazemore, AP ******************************************** Doctors usually operate on spina bifida victims immediately after birth, making this operation "quite unusual," Hudgins said. But the baby's situation was "stable," giving doctors enough time to do appropriate studies. "We have very high hopes for her," he said.

[cynicom]

Thanks Mom, needed to be said.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Absolutely....see above for a photo!

[Calpernia]

Related:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1550637/posts
(U.S.) Army's mercy mission to save baby

[InvisibleChurch]

God's blessings for a nice post.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

This baby needs some prayers....

What a beautiful smile!!!

[trussell]

Prayer ping.

My prayers going up for Baby Noor and her families. God's healing for the child...God's comfort for the family.  

Blessings,
trussell

If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

[Ciexyz]

Good news bump.