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Seven-year-old dubbed superhero after undergoing five organ transplants in one operation

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PHOTO: Getty Images
PHOTO: Getty Images

A seven-year-old boy has become the first child in 20 years to undergo a remarkable operation – five organs transplanted in one go.

Little Jay Crouch is now recovering at home after receiving two kidneys, a pancreas, liver and small bowel during a 10-hour operation at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in the UK.

Jay had suffered complications since he was just six weeks old and was diagnosed with a condition called short bowel syndrome which meant he’d been unable to eat and digest food – until now.

Jay had been fed intravenously since he was a baby after doctors discovered his small intestine was twisted, causing complications with his kidneys and other vital organs.

Since then, the little boy has undergone continuous treatment but the additional strain on his body resulted in the failure of his organs, meaning a transplant was necessary, reports Leicester Mercury.

The operation in March was the first of its kind to be performed at the hospital in 20 years, and the first on record involving five organs in one operation.

It required a team of 12, including anaesthetists, two surgeons, five nurses, three junior doctors and several others involved in his care.

His mom, Katie Freestone (28), told The Guardian that they’re all amazed at the incredible progress Jay has made in such a short space of time. 

“There also aren’t enough words to say thank you to the donor and their family and, while we’re thrilled that Jay has been given this chance, we’re also incredibly aware of the sadness and tragedy that another family had to endure to make this possible,” she said.

Jay is said to be recovering well and has returned home.

He’s currently being fed through a nasogastric tube, supported by oral feeding, as he works toward a full recovery in the coming years. 

Jay has said he’s thankful to everyone involved in his recovery. 

“I want to say thank you to my mom for looking after me and my grandma and granddad, who’ve been telling me every day that I’m getting better.”

Sources: The Guardian, Leicester Mercury, BBC

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