Introduction to Bertie’s Story
A toddler who has spent most of his life in the hospital is preparing to spend his first Christmas at home after finally being discharged. Nineteen-month-old Bertie suffered serious health problems when he was born prematurely at 24 weeks, weighing just 0.7kg.
Health Complications
It was discovered that in addition to needing help breathing, he also suffered from a life-threatening intestinal disorder. He underwent five surgeries – the first was just 10 days old. After spending more than 500 days in hospital, Bertie is now at home with his parents, who say he is "making really good progress".
Birth and Initial Hospitalization
Bertie was born at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital in May 2024 after a 17-minute contraction. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis, a condition that causes tissue in the intestines to become inflamed and die. After spending the first six months of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit, he was transferred to Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
Current Condition and Progress
He is still tube-fed and receives nutrients via an intravenous infusion. However, Bertie had made “really good progress” medically and had “flourished” since coming home in November. He’s doing really well physically, and his parents think he’s not that far off from walking now. He climbs up the stairs, onto the sofa and down again and becomes more and more confident in his footing.
Family Life and Future Plans
Bertie’s parents hope to wean him off the IV and switch him to solid food within the next year. If he gets that line out it means they can live a pretty normal life until he eats enough to have the breast pump removed too. His father said that his son was the "happiest kid you’ll ever meet." Despite everything he’s been through, he wakes up beaming, goes to bed beaming. He’s a remarkable little person.
Gratitude and Appreciation
In recent weeks, the couple have taken Bertie to see Santa, although he was "more interested in all the decorations". The couple said they were “forever grateful” to the team at Evelina for everything they had done for Bertie. The team at Evelina London said that Bertie had to face many challenges in his short life, but he and his parents met these challenges with extraordinary grace and courage. Seeing him go home is what they have all been working towards, and they couldn’t be happier for him and his family.
