Viagra used to save baby's life

Friday, September 7

Viagra has been used by doctors on Tyneside as a last resort to save
the life of a premature baby.

Lewis Goodfellow was born at 24 weeks weighing just 1lb 8oz. One of
his lungs had failed and not enough oxygen was able to get into his
bloodstream.

Doctors at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary then tried Sildenafil,
also known under the trade name of viagra, and Lewis is now home with
his parents.

The drug opened up tiny blood vessels in the baby's lungs.

Parents Jade Goodfellow and John Barclay, from Walker, Newcastle
believe the drug - more usually associated with anti-impotence - saved
his life.

At one point they were so concerned he would not survive that they
began planning a funeral.

Ms Goodfellow said: "Doctors said he couldn't be given any more
oxygen.

"They were just clutching at straws basically. They explained it was
experimental and may not have any effect at all."

Alan Fenton, consultant neonatologist at the hospital, said: "The
problem we see in premature babies with breathing difficulties is
although we can blow oxygen into their lungs to help them, there isn't
enough blood supply to various areas of the lungs to take the oxygen
around the rest of the body.

"What Sildenafil does is open up the blood vessels so they can capture
the oxygen and take it around the body."

Lewis was born in August 2006 and was finally allowed home in January,
to the delight of his parents.

His mother said: "I don't think you could put into words how we feel.

"The doctors are worth their weight in gold. We admire each and every
one of them for what they have done."

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