Edna arrived at her ultrasound appointment excited to see her twin girls (Baby A and Baby B; their nicknames in the womb) and it was during that visit, she was informed that Baby B’s stomach was outside of her body. The family was informed that Baby B would be born with OEIS Syndrome, also known as Cloacal Exstrophy, a rare congenital defect that impacts how the lower abdominal wall, intestines and urinary bladder form during fetal development, resulting in the bladder and part of the intestines being outside of the body at birth. After receiving the devastating news and being told Baby B would not make it, Edna trusted in her faith and the medical team’s plan to save Baby B’s life.
Born alongside her twin sister, Akia, at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, at just 34 weeks, Bria Miracle was immediately transported via the LifeFlight® team to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital where she began her life closely monitored by the NICU team. After spending her first five days in the NICU, Bria, under the care of pediatric surgeon, Dr. Felipe Pedroso and pediatric urologist, Dr. Miguel Castellan, both on medical staff at Nicklaus Children’s, received her first abdominal reconstruction surgery.
“After my faith in god, Nicklaus Children’s comes second,” says Edna. “Since day one, they have cared for my Bria in so many ways and truly feel like a family to us.”
Given Cloacal Exstrophy requires a multi-step treatment plan, Bria has been followed and cared for by a multidisciplinary team for the last two years consisting of pediatric Urology, Orthopedics, Nephrology and Neurology.
This year, Bria received subsequent reconstructive surgery to correct her pelvis in order to internalize her bladder and close her abdominal wall. Bria is a walking miracle who loves to play dress up, is a bundle of joy and is growing side by side to her twin sister who supported her throughout her treatment journey.