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Doctors remove fluid near Noor’s brain
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Surgeons at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta operated successfully this morning on Noor al-Zahra, the Iraqi infant brought to metro Atlanta with a severe form of spina bifida.
The hospital said in a statement that the baby was resting comfortably, with plans to stay overnight for observation.
Doctors inserted a shunt to drain a build-up of fluid beside Noor’s brain, the hospital said. Doctors were prepared to insert the shunt after they performed life-changing surgery on Noor two months ago, but they did not find a fluid build-up in the weeks after that operation. A routine check-up this week detected the fluid.
Georgia-based National Guard soldiers with the 48th Brigade Combat Team encountered Noor while raiding a house near Baghdad in December. Moved by her plight, the soldiers made connections that led to a rare trip out of Iraq for the baby, her father and grandmother.
The medical care was arranged by Childspring International, a charity that arranges medical care in the United States for sick children from abroad.
“The family was disappointed with news of more surgery, but they understand and are very grateful that Baby Noor is receiving excellent medical care and support,” said Christina Porter, Childspring’s USA director.





DEL.ICIO.US


Comments
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By Debby & Chelsey
March 10, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
Chelsey and I do wish Noor the best. We hope everything turns out ok for her.
By Dusty
March 10, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
All blessings on Baby Noor. May she have a rapid recovery.
By K
March 10, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this
Anyone know where the Mother is?
By anna
March 10, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this
Hats off to the soldiers who sent her here and the medical staff treating her! It’s good to see something positive like this. We will say a prayer for her and everyone.
By Jo
March 10, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this
All well & fine, but what about our own AMERICAN children who need expensive surgery & who DO have a chance of walking, & of living a productive life??
By me
March 10, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this
HEY k from my understanding the mother is still in iraq. Noor is here in united states with her dad and grandmother.
By George
March 10, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this
This is one of those really great stories.
I hope the city of Atlanta will throw them one heck of a going away party.
I’d like for them to remember more about Atlanta than just “more surgeries”.
I mean, I’m sure they’re being treated well and having a good time. But this is a once in a life time chance for them, and god change for Atlanta to really show off some “southern hospitility”.
You know, show the world.
Baby Noor should go back to Iraq with enough stuffed teddy bears for every single kid in Iraq.