Heart transplant baby Kaylee celebrates 21st

Oct 14 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

Transplant operation made medical history

KAYLEE Davidson made medical history when she became the first baby to survive a heart transplant 21 years ago today.

Diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, she was seriously ill in intensive care for six weeks before the operation at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

Following the six-hour operation, led by consultant surgeon Christopher McGregor, the youngster’s condition was reported in The Journal as "causing some concern". But in the days following she began to improve, despite her weighing just 5kgs. It was reported that Mr McGregor and cardio-anaesthetist David Heaviside worked for three days and two nights without leaving the hospital or taking a break.

Mr McGregor’s wife Diana was also giving birth to their fourth child, Mary, at the time of the operation at the city’s Princess Mary Hospital. He described the heart implanted in Kaylee as "about the size of a walnut".

Kaylee was able to return home to parents Carol, 22, and Mark, 24, on November 24.

Mr McGregor left the hospital to work at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, USA.