Toddler born with rare conditions has had five major surgeries in short life

12 November 2023 , 19:12

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Aria Fionda, two, has overcome multiple surgeries in hospital (Image: Supplied)

A brave little toddler has bravely faced five major surgeries in her short life after being born with rare conditions.

Aria Fionda, two, was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit after birth and her mum Gabriella couldn't see her baby for six hours.

Doctors told Gabriella, 22, her daughter had Oesophageal Atresia (OA) and Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula (TOF), rare congenital conditions which meant Aria was born unable to swallow. Although the tot, from Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, spent time on a ventilator and hooked up to a lot of machines, she pulled through but has had five major operations since then.

The two-year-old brings joy to her adoring family's life (supplied)

Aria was born with Oesophageal Atresia (OA) and Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula (TOF) (supplied)

Recalling her pregnancy, Gabriella told Glasgow Live: "I had a really big bump when I was pregnant and they assumed the baby was going to be big." She added: "When I was induced they said they'd never seen so much amniotic fluid. It was just a normal birth, there were no extra people there."

She continued: "When she was born I was expecting to hear a big cry but she didn't, she wasn't making much noise. I had a really bad bleed so all their attention was on me."

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"My mum was at the birth with me and she kept saying there was something wrong with the baby. After eight minutes they looked at Aria and hit a button."

"All these people ran in and took her away to the neonatal intensive care unit. It was six hours before I saw her again. She was on a ventilator and hooked up to a lot of machines. I was told she had Oesophageal Atresia and Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula along with other rare congenital conditions"

Over the last two years, the mum has been living in fear that she might lose her precious daughter. The little one has been rushed to the hospital multiple times, and her family have had to perform life-saving actions to keep her alive. Aria has also had several crucial surgeries, two of which happened within 24 hours of her birth.

Aria was born with a rare birth defect (supplied)

Gabriella and Aria are pictured together at their home in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire (supplied)

Gabriella said: "For the first year and a half it has been constant hospital trips. When she was born she spent eight weeks in the NICU. Since it was covid it was only me or her dad allowed to see her in the ICU. Sometimes when he was at work I'd be there by myself with no support."

"Due to covid I only had a video to watch to learn how to perform CPR. Unfortunately six times my daughter has needed CPR in the house. We've been lucky because our next door neighbours are GPs, they've helped us a number of times.

"The worst time was in May 2022, she hadn't even turned one yet, there were four ambulances at the house. They worked on her for an hour and once she was stable they took her to hospital.

"Carrying out CPR on your own child is difficult and it never leaves you but you need to do it. She has had five major surgeries, the first two happened the day after she was born."

"She then had one when she was just five weeks old. It was a rare surgery called an aortopexy that they only do once every five years I was told. It was carried out to strengthen Aria's windpipe."

The loving mum shared: "I expected her to be behind her peers because of the trips to hospital but she is the happiest and chattiest wee girl ever. Those who meet her don't even know she has the condition."

"Physically she has taken her time but mentally she is more than capable. She can't eat the same things as many other two year olds. She is still eating what a seven-month-old would eat due to her high risk of choking. When she goes to nursery she'll probably need an adult to supervise her eating. There may be some foods she'll never be able to eat. As she gets older and stronger she'll know herself what she can eat."

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Gabriella has been completely blown away by the support provided by those working at The Royal Hospital for Children every time she is there with her daughter. The 22-year-old woman continued: "They are amazing."

"I've been exposed to the NHS more than I ever thought I would be but they're so accommodating. They always go above and beyond for us. The staff in the ward remember her and always ask how she is. They are so lovely."

As a thank you the mum has decided to walk 5km, the number of surgeries Aria has gone through, each day in November. This month is especially important for Gabriella as it marks the second anniversary of her daughter being discharged from ICU.

She explained: "There is nothing I can ever do to give 100 per cent back but there are people who still need help. One of my friends, who I met in hospital, has a child who spent nearly two-and-a-half-years. They've helped us so much but for some people the hospital is their second home."

"When you're in the children's hospital, half the time you don't think you're in a hospital. As much as it's clinical it is so colourful and there are always displays on in the foyer."

"Clown doctors come round with balloon machines. They also held a reunion at a soft play for those who were treated in intensive care. That was organised by the charity."

The Bearsden native has already exceeded her £200 goal, raising a whopping £550. To support the cause, you can donate to the GoFundMe here.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Keiran Fleming