U.S. doctors treat Afghan child with rare congenital disorder

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U.S. military medical personnel have spent months caring for a child in Afghanistan suffering from a rare congenital condition known as Pierre Robin Sequence.

The child, named Ramazan, came to the attention in January of special operations forces stationed in Herat province. Severely underweight and malnourished because of an opening in his palate, the child was considered near death.

Several operations later in Herat and Kabul, 9-month-old Ramazan is now considered strong enough to be transferred from U.S. care to an Afghan hospital.

Pierre Robin Sequence leaves a child with an abnormally small jaw, oversized tongue and cleft palate. The tongue often falls back into the throat and may cause choking.

Initially, Ramazan’s condition seemed beyond the capability of the U.S. personnel, who are trained to treat battlefield injuries in adults. ‘We’re not really set up for babies,’ said Maj. Michael Tarpey, an Army doctor.

Doctors are pleased with Ramazan’s progress -- he has gained weight and can lift his head and hold a bottle -- but they warn that more surgeries may be required.

-- Tony Perry, San Diego