Southern California baby travels to UC Davis Health for a game-changing procedure

(SACRAMENTO) — Mateo’s first days of life were dramatic.

Born premature at 25 weeks in April 2021, Mateo had a PICC line (similar to an IV, but a thicker and more durable tube) placed in his right arm to deliver fluids, nutrition and medications into his body. The PICC line was removed when an infection and a blood clot developed.  

The infection was successfully treated, but Mateo developed a chylothorax, a rare condition that occurs when leakage of lymphatic fluid accumulates in the space around the lungs.

Fluid continued to build up, and doctors inserted numerous tubes into his chest to remove the excess fluid. But the fluid continued to build in his tissues, causing severe edema from the chest up. His body became very round and swollen. Eventually, he couldn’t open his eyes.

“He had approximately 10 chest tubes in two months because that was the best way to get the fluid out,” said Mateo’s mother, Robin Watkins. “He had to be intubated and required various ventilators to help him breathe. He overcame multiple infections and close calls.”

Diagnosed with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome

An echocardiogram confirmed that the swelling and excess fluid were caused by the blood clot in his superior vena cava vein, the major blood vessel connecting the upper body to the heart.

Mateo was diagnosed with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, a rare condition in which blood flow from the head and upper body cannot return to the heart via the superior vena cava vein, resulting in severe head and upper body swelling. The blood clot was likely a result of the previous infection. 

When Mateo needed a cardiac catheterization, Mateo’s health care team turned to Frank Ing, chief of pediatric cardiology at UC Davis Children’s Hospital and a world-renowned pediatric interventional cardiologist.

Mateo’s medical team shared imaging and consulted with Ing. Ing agreed to help Mateo and his family. 

Cardiac catheterization makes the difference

Mateo was transported to UC Davis Children’s Hospital in August for an interventional cardiac catheterization that proved to be a game changer. The procedure lasted five hours and successfully restored blood flow that was obstructed by the blood clot.  

“Dr. Ing was able to get past the old blood clot and restore the blood flow in the vein. It was life-saving for our son,” Watkins said.

Two stents were placed in Mateo’s superior vena cava and the innominate vein, another major vein in the thorax. The positive effects of this cardiac catheterization were seen almost immediately once normal blood flow from the head and neck back to the heart was restored. His chest tube was removed the following day following the successful procedure.

His swelling improved, and Mateo was able to open his eyes again.

More milestones followed. Robin remembers the joy of finally holding Mateo for the first time in seven weeks.

He was alert. He was able to transition from a specialty formula to breastmilk. He could watch his crib toy as it rotated above his head to music. He could track the voices of his parents. He was feeling and looking better.

Mateo was discharged from UC Davis Children’s Hospital on Aug. 25 and transferred back to their local hospital for care. 

“Dr. Ing really changed Mateo’s trajectory. Now he has a chance at a better quality of life. Now we can focus on taking care of his lungs and development,” Watkins said. “We are so grateful for what Dr. Ing was able to do.”